Sleep apnoea implicated in cognitive impairment

People with sleep apnoea tend to also show memory or cognitive symptoms, according to a study, suggesting an association between the sleep-related breathing disorder and cognitive function.

Based on data from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), individuals who had sleep apnoea symptoms had 88-percent greater odds of having memory or cognitive symptoms compared with those who had no sleep apnoea symptoms (odds ratio, 1.88, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.48–2.37; p<0.001). [AAN 2024, abstract 010]

The association retained its significance in an analysis controlled for age, gender, race (Non-Hispanic White), and education (at least some college education). The resulting OR for having memory or cognitive symptoms increased to 2.02 (95 percent CI, 1.58–2.59; p<0.001).

“Sleep apnoea is a common disorder that is often underdiagnosed, yet treatments are available,” said study author Dr Dominique Low of Boston Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, US, in a news release.

“These findings support the importance of early screening and intervention for sleep apnoea and suggest a relationship between sleep apnoea and cognitive function, an area of increasing public health importance,” Low added.

Effective treatments like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are readily available and can address sleep apnoea. Low pointed out that by using CPAP machines, along with prioritizing good sleep habits and a healthy lifestyle (ie, healthy diet, regular exercise, social engagement, and cognitive stimulation), individuals with sleep apnoea may ultimately reduce their risk of thinking and memory problems and improve their quality of life.

The study included 4,257 NHANES participants aged 20 to ≥80 years with demographic data. These individuals completed questionnaires that covered sleep, memory, cognition, and decision-making abilities.

Individuals who reported snorting, gasping, or experiencing breathing pauses during sleep were categorized as having sleep apnoea symptoms. Meanwhile, those who reported difficulty remembering, periods of confusion, difficulty concentrating, or experiencing decision-making problems were classified as having memory or cognitive symptoms.

Low acknowledged several study limitations. First, the data was obtained from a single survey. Second, the data relied on self-reported symptoms instead of an objective assessment by medical professionals.

“Further work should study the relationship between sleep apnoea and cognitive impairment. Given the prevalent underdiagnosis and undertreatment of sleep apnoea, proactive measures in screening and managing [the condition] are needed,” she said.