Lack of Sleep May Cause Alzheimer's Disease

Could your untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increase your chances of developing dementia in the years to come? A recent study conducted at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, has linked poor sleep to increases in production of a protein that causes Alzheimer's Disease:

For the study, researchers examined 26 middle-aged men who reported normal sleeping habits. Half the participants were randomly assigned to the sleeping group and the rest were told to stay awake throughout the night. The researchers inserted a catheter into the spines of all the participants so that the team could measure the levels of amyloid-beta protein before and after the night session. High levels of amyloid-beta have been identified as a potential risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

The study found that participants who did not get a restful night of sleep had nigher levels of the harmful protein in their spines, while those who snoozed without disturbance had lower levels. While the study's results don't prove that poor sleep could directly cause dementia or Alzheimer's Disease, it does create a strong link between the two health issues. The Alzheimer's Disease research concludes there is no need to fret if you miss one good night's sleep, but it might be worth taking a self-assessment to see if you suffer from sleep apnea and are failing to get restful sleep on a regular basis.

Improve Your Sleep, Treat Your Sleep Apnea

At Surgical Sleep Solutions, we help OSA sufferers get a good night's sleep every night. Our sleep apnea surgery allows our patients to stop using their CPAP devices and return to normal life. To learn more about your possible treatment options, or to ask a sleep apnea physician a question, please contact us today.