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A sleep disorder that causes repeated shallow or interrupted breathing may be associated with changes in brain structure that are also observed in the early stages of dementia. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 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 the levels of sleep. oxygen 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, such as depression, high blood pressure, obesity and smoking. In recent years, researchers have recognized that various sleep disturbances are also risk factors for dementia, "said lead author Sharon Naismith of the University of Sydney, Australia [19659003] "We wanted to specifically look at obstructive sleep apnea." In the study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, researchers analyzed data from nearly 100 participants aged 51 to 88, who had consulted doctors with concerns about their memory or mood. but has no diagnosis of OSA.
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 the memory and dementia. 19659002] In addition, the team found that this alteration in the brain was related to the lower ability of participants to learn new information. "There is no cure for dementia, so early intervention is key.On the other hand, we have an effective treatment for OSA." This research shows that diagnosis and the treatment of OSA could be an opportunity to prevent cognitive decline before it is too late, "added Naismith.
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