Sleep apnea can lead to memory or thinking problems, confirms a survey of around 4,300 people.
American researchers asked participants about the quality of their sleep, their memory and the function of their brain.
About a quarter of respondents reported symptoms related to sleep apnea. A third of them reported memory or thinking problems, compared to 20% of participants without sleep apnea.
It implies what we already knew
responded Doctor Caroline Minville of the University Institute of Cardiology and Pulmonology of Quebec. There have already been several studies that have looked into this. It is clear that most patients with sleep apnea will initially have problems, particularly middle-aged patients, with attention and cognition problems rather than short-term memory.
The scientific literature on long-term memory problems, such as those associated with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, is less clear.
She added, because we don't have any good long-term studies that have been done on young patients suffering from untreated sleep apnea and followed over years to see if there is an impact on their risk of dementia.
However, we do know that patients who suffer from both sleep apnea and Alzheimer's and whose sleep apnea is treated see improvement in their memory, cognition, etc.
recalled Dr. Minville.
Sleep apnea is likely to be associated with more dementia problems, although data on this topic are somewhat more mixed in the literature.
A study like the American researchers', despite all the limitations associated with self-reported data like the ones they used, at least has the virtue of reminding us that good sleep is part of good hygiene. of life, said Dr. Minville, and that it appears to contribute to good memory and cognitive function.
Sleep apnea is clearly a condition that can lead to poorer memory, concentration and sleepiness.
she said. There are still many patients who suffer from sleep apnea and go undiagnosed, despite increasing screening and education.
Memory and concentration problems can have a variety of causes, but people who experience them should discuss the possibility of sleep apnea with their primary care doctor.
believes Dr. Minville, especially since treatment options have improved greatly in recent years.
treatment, she added, will not only improve factors such as work productivity, but also lead to benefits such as a reduction in cardiovascular risks or depression.
.
There are some patients whose quality of life is really improved by this
she remarked.
The results of this study have not yet been published in a scientific journal. They are due to be presented at a conference next monthAmerican Academy of Neurology.
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