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By IANS
SYDNEY: A sleep disorder that causes shallow or interrupted repeated breathing may be badociated with changes in brain structure that are also observed in the early stages of dementia
), common in the elderly, is a condition where the walls of the throat relax and contract during sleep, stopping breathing, and are known to reduce oxygen levels in the blood. It has also been linked to heart disease, stroke and cancer.
The new study suggested that the decline in oxygen may be related to a narrowing of the temporal lobes of the brain and a corresponding decline in memory. 50% of the risk of dementia is due to modifiable factors like depression, high blood pressure, obesity and smoking: in recent years, researchers have recognized that various sleep disorders are also factors of risk of dementia. Naismith, of the University of Sydney, Australia
Read also: Common anti-depressants related to risk of dementia
"We wanted to specifically look at obstructive sleep apnea and its effects on the brain and cognitive abilities, "adds Naismith.
In the study, published in European Respiratory Journal, researchers badyzed data from nearly 100 participants aged 51-88, who had consulted physicians with concerns about their memory or mood, but had
The results showed that patients who had low levels of oxygen in their blood during their sleep tended to have a reduced thickness in the left and right temporal lobes of the brain – regions known to be important in In addition, the team found that brain damage was related to the lower ability of participants to learn new information.
"There is no cure for dementia, so early intervention is the key.On the other hand, we have an effective treatment for osteoarthritis." Research shows that the diagnosis and treatment of OSA could be an opportunity to prevent cognitive decline before it's too late, "added Naismith.
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