Research suggests that a history of sleep apnea might boost the odds for dementia The rise in risk was small but significant, and more prominent in women than men Therapies that ease apnea might also lower dementia risk, researchers report FRIDAY, Nov. 1, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep apnea appears to increase a person's odds of developing dementia, a new study finds. The effect seems stronger among women compared to men, noted a research team from the University of Michigan.
Luckily, there are treatments available to help ease sleep apnea, noted study lead author . “These potential harms caused by sleep apnea, many of which threaten cognitive performance and decline, highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment,” said Braley, who directs the Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology Division at University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor. Her team published its findings recently in the journal .
The study tracked outcomes for 18,500 adults age 50 or older who answered detailed questionnaires on topics including sleep quality, and who also underwent cognitive screening to assess their brain health. Bradley's team found that having a history of (or its symptoms, in cases where it hadn't been diagnosed) was tied to an up to 5% higher odds of going on to develop dementia. Five percent may not seem like a lot, but the Michigan team noted that the number held firm even after they had accounted for a lot of other factors that affect dementia risk, such as race and educati.