A new study, published in the sleep science journal Frontiers in Sleep , has found that snoring caused by sleep apnea can cause cognitive decline that leads to early dementia, according to the New York Post.
Scientists have found that sleep apnea - which often leads to snoring - reduces blood and oxygen flow to the brain, which can lead to ongoing cognitive decline.
Everyone wants to have a good night's sleep.
The study, conducted by scientists from King's College London (UK), included 27 male patients with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea, aged 35 to 70 (other than this disease, they were all healthy), and 7 men without sleep apnea, participating.
Scientists measured brain waves, monitored blood oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing, eye and leg movements, and cognitive function of these people.
Results showed that people with severe sleep apnea had poorer cognition, poorer concentration, problems with short-term memory, and an inability to achieve goals in daily life.
The authors noted that people with milder degrees of sleep apnea had better cognitive function.
The findings concluded that people with severe sleep apnea may be at risk for cognitive impairment. The authors noted that this has been linked to health problems such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and type 2 diabetes, according to the New York Post.
People with severe sleep apnea have poorer cognition
Researchers believe the causes may be low oxygen and high CO 2 levels in the blood, changes in blood flow to the brain, and inflammation in the brain.
Ultimately, in most severe cases, this can lead to memory loss and the inability to think clearly that often occurs in people with obstructive sleep apnea.
It is likely that these lead to widespread structural and neuroanatomical changes in the brain that cause impairments in cognitive and emotional functioning, said lead author Dr. Ivana Rosenzweig, a neuropsychiatrist.
Obstructive sleep apnea can be life-threatening, with symptoms including restless sleep, loud snoring, and morning headaches. People with the disorder often take naps, according to the New York Post.
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