Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by breathing pauses during the night, leading to frequent awakenings and poor sleep quality.
Although many people view snoring as a mere inconvenience, a recent study shows that sleep apnea can increase the risk of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline.
A study published on May 10 in Neurology analyzed 140 individuals, with an average age of 73, from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. None of the participants had dementia, and each had undergone at least one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan and polysomnography (PSG), a nighttime sleep study performed in a lab.
The analysis included sleep factors and biomarkers of white matter, which are essential for connecting different areas of the brain. One biomarker, white matter hyperintensities, corresponds to small lesions visible on brain imaging that become more common with age or uncontrolled hypertension. Another biomarker assessed axonal integrity, which reflects how well neurons communicate.
Researchers identified a possible association between sleep apnea, reduced deep sleep, and early signs of cerebrovascular disease. These signs are linked to a higher risk of stroke, Alzheimer’s, and cognitive decline. They observed that for every 10% decrease in slow-wave sleep, white matter hyperintensities increased, an effect comparable to 2.3 years of aging. In addition, they detected a reduction in axonal integrity equivalent to three years of aging.
How Does Sleep Apnea Affect the Brain in the Long Term?
Sleep apnea is associated with hypoxemia, repeated adrenaline surges (caused by the body waking itself up in response to oxygen deprivation), hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux, atrial fibrillation, poor sleep quality (with less deep and REM sleep), and an increased risk of cognitive decline. As a result, it represents a frequent yet often undiagnosed contributor to cognitive deterioration.
Deep sleep plays a vital role in brain restoration and memory consolidation. When patients with sleep apnea spend less time in this restorative phase, their cognitive function declines and the risk of impairment increases over time. Additionally, because sleep apnea is linked to hypertension and atrial fibrillation, it further increases the risk of stroke.
In short, a brain that does not rest well cannot function well. This manifests as mood changes and a reduced ability to make decisions.
How To Diagnose Sleep Apnea
In many cases, sleep apnea is first noticed by a bed partner who observes pauses in breathing. If suspected, it is essential to confirm the diagnosis through a sleep study.
Nowadays, Biologix Sleep Test® allows patients to be evaluated at home in a simple, comfortable, and efficient manner, without the need to spend the night in a sleep lab. By simplifying and modernizing polysomnography with wireless technology and artificial intelligence, Biologix transforms the experience of sleep testing. Patients maintain independence and mobility throughout the night, able to get up to use the bathroom or drink water without compromising the test’s accuracy. This versatile solution can be performed either at home or in a hospital setting.
If sleep apnea is confirmed, several treatment options are available. The most effective is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which uses a nasal or oronasal mask to provide a steady airflow and keep the airways open during sleep.
Lifestyle changes are also crucial, including maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed, sleeping on one’s side, and practicing good sleep hygiene.
Recognizing the impact of sleep apnea on neurological health is essential for prevention and early intervention.
Prioritizing restorative sleep and pursuing appropriate treatments, such as CPAP therapy, can reduce breathing pauses, improve sleep quality, and significantly lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, stroke, and cognitive decline associated with OSA.
Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders among patients with cognitive decline, yet it is frequently underestimated by physicians. For this reason, patients and their families must be aware of the connection and discuss it with their healthcare practitioners.
Biologix and the Democratization of Sleep Apnea and Snoring Diagnosis
Founded in 2015 in São Paulo, Biologix is a health-tech company dedicated to sleep medicine, with a mission to democratize access to diagnosis and support the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea . Leading healthcare practitioners have endorsed its clinically validated solution in the field: the Biologix Sleep Test.
Nowadays, Biologix Sleep Test® is a multimodal nighttime polysomnography that requires only a smartphone and a compact, wireless sensor, with no electrodes attached to the patient. Any healthcare practitioner or accredited Biologix center can acquire this low-cost solution . . ..
To diagnose obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the Biologix Sleep Test® records and processes multiple parameters overnight. The Oxistar® sensor measures blood oxygen saturation, detects desaturation events, monitors heart rate, and calculates estimated sleep time. The smartphone is responsible for recording and classifying snoringhile processing all collected data. From this information, the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) is calculated, allowing healthcare practitioners to determine the severity of apnea according to reference standards. Because the process is fully automated, it also ensures complete data privacy .
The Biologix Sleep Test® has been clinically validated with results showing 95.1% sensitivity, 80.2% specificity, and 90.1% accuracy compared to standard lab polysomnography. These outcomes were confirmed in studies conducted by specialists at the Heart Institute Sleep Lab of the University of São Paulo Medical School, as well as by several recognized Brazilian regulatory bodies. Today, Biologix continues its mission to revolutionize the diagnosis of snoring and sleep apnea.
Are you interested? Would you like to collaborate with us to transform sleep health? Visit our website and social media channels to learn more about the solutions that are redefining sleep care worldwide.
