Sleep apnea could lead to memory or reasoning problems, says a new survey of some 4,300 people.
American researchers asked participants about the quality of their sleep, their memory and the functioning of their brain.
About a quarter of those surveyed reported symptoms associated with sleep apnea. A third of these reported memory or reasoning problems, compared to 20% of participants without sleep apnea.
“That suggests what we already knew,” reacted Doctor Caroline Minville, of the University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology of Quebec. There have already been several studies that have looked at this. It is clear that most patients who have sleep apnea will have problems initially, especially middle-aged patients, with problems with attention and cognition rather than short-term memory. »
The scientific literature is less clear for long-term memory problems, such as those associated with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, she added, since there are no good long-term studies which would have been carried out on young patients suffering from untreated sleep apnea, who would have been followed for years to see if there is an impact on their risk of dementia.
However, we know that patients suffering from both sleep apnea and Alzheimer’s, and whose sleep apnea is treated, see a benefit in terms of their memory, their cognition, and so on, recalled Doctor Minville.
“Sleep apnea is probably associated with more dementia problems, but the data on that is a little more variable in the literature,” she said.
A study like the one carried out by the American researchers, with all the limitations inherent in self-reported data like those they used, at least has the merit of reminding us that good quality sleep is part of a healthy lifestyle. , specified Dr. Minville, and that it seems to contribute to good memory and good cognitive function.
“Sleep apnea is clearly a condition that can contribute to poorer memory, poorer concentration and drowsiness,” she said. There are still many patients who suffer from sleep apnea and who are not diagnosed, even though there is more and more screening and awareness. »
Memory and concentration problems can have several causes, but people who experience them would do well to explore the possibility of sleep apnea with their family doctor, believes Dr. Minville, especially since the treatments are have been greatly improved in recent years.
Treatment, she added, could not only improve factors such as work productivity, but also bring benefits such as a reduction in cardiovascular risks or depression.
“There are several patients whose quality of life it will really improve,” she concluded.
The findings of this study have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. They should be unveiled next month at a meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.