Meeting Coverage > > AAN– Findings highlight significance of early screening for apnea, scientist states
by Judy George, Deputy Managing Editor, MedPage Today March 4, 2024
Memory and cognitive signs were connected to self-reported sleep apnea, cross-sectional information from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) revealed.
In a study of more than 4,200 U.S. grownups, those who reported sleep apnea signs had higher chances of likewise reporting memory or cognitive signs (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.48-2.37, P< 0.001), stated Dominique Low, MD, MPH, of Boston Medical Center, in an abstract launched in advance of the American Academy of Neurology yearly conference.
“Sleep apnea is a typical condition that is typically underdiagnosed, yet treatments are offered,” Low stated in a press release.
“These findings highlight the value of early screening for sleep apnea,” she included. “Effective treatments like constant favorable air passage pressure [CPAP] makers are easily offered.”
Relationships in between sleep and cognition are well-studied and seem intricate. In 2023, a pooled analysis of sleep research studies in almost 6,000 grownups revealed that much better sleep combination and the lack of sleep apnea were related to much better worldwide cognition over 5 years.
In another 2023 research study, sleep-disordered breathing was connected to median temporal lobe volumes in amyloid-positive older grownups who were cognitively unimpaired.
Prior research study likewise has actually revealed a bidirectional relationship in between dementia and sleep that might cover years.
In her analysis, Low evaluated information from 4,257 individuals over age 20 in the CDC’s 2017-18 NHANES accomplice. Individuals finished surveys that evaluated sleep, memory, cognition, and decision-making capabilities.
Individuals who reported snorting, gasping, or breathing stops briefly throughout sleep were categorized as having sleep apnea signs. Those who reported trouble keeping in mind, durations of confusion, problem focusing, or decision-making issues were categorized as having memory or cognitive signs.
The relationship in between sleep apnea signs and memory or cognitive signs stayed substantial after changing for age, sex, race, and education (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.58-2.59, P< 0.001), Low stated.
“These findings support the value of early screening and intervention for sleep apnea and recommend a relationship in between sleep apnea and cognitive function, a location of increasing public health value,” she composed.
“Given the widespread underdiagnosis and undertreatment of sleep apnea, proactive procedures in screening and handling sleep apnea are required,” she included.
The research study had numerous constraints, she acknowledged. The findings originated from one cross-sectional photo and did not follow individuals gradually. All signs were self-reported and were not examined by physician. While the study information revealed favorable associations, it might not figure out whether sleep apnea triggers cognitive decrease.
“Further work ought to study the relationship in between sleep apnea and cognitive disability,” Low kept in mind.
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Judy George covers neurology and neuroscience news for MedPage Today, discussing brain aging, Alzheimer’s, dementia, MS, uncommon illness, epilepsy, autism, headache,
