Sleep apnea is often associated with headaches and trouble in focusing on tasks. However, the impact of sleep apnea on cognitive problems is poorly understood. A study to be spresented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76th annual meeting examined whether sleep apnea is associated with memory or thinking problems. Out of 4,257 participants, 1,079 had sleep apnea in the study.
Among them, 33% reported memory or thinking problems compared to 20% of healthy individuals. After adjusting factors including age, gender, race, and education, patients with sleep apnea were found to be 50% more likely to have memory or thinking problems than healthy individuals. However, the study did not establish a causal link between sleep apnea and cognitive decline. These findings suggest that early screening for sleep apnea is crucial to initiate treatment and potentially reduce the risk of developing…
