![]() ![]() “Poor sleep from severe sleep apnea or decreased deep sleep may be involved in white matter abnormalities thought to contribute to the risk of cognitive impairment, dementia and stroke,” Carvalho said.īut the study authors also pointed out some key caveats.įor one thing, the association between less deep sleep and more white matter damage “was just evident in patients with severe sleep apnea,” not among those with less advanced disease.Īnd investigators placed a heavy emphasis on “association.” The result: After comparing sleep to scans, the researchers found that patients who got the least deep sleep - and, therefore, had the poorest overall sleep quality - were also the most likely to show telltale signs of white matter damage.įor every 10-point drop in the percentage of deep sleep, the investigators found an increase in white matter damage similar to the effect of aging an additional 2.3 years. The overnight study allowed researchers to track sleep patterns. It often shows up as tiny lesions that accumulate with age. White matter damage can undermine communication between different parts of the brain. The scans offered insight into the health of nerve fibers that make up the brain's white matter. Their sleep apnea ranged in severity from mild to severe.Įach participant underwent brain scans and an overnight study in a sleep lab. None had any signs of dementia, Alzheimer’s or trouble with thought processing when the study was conducted. The study included 140 participants (average age, 73 years). With that in mind, Carvalho and his team set out to see whether the impact of sleep apnea on deep sleep might somehow be linked to the long-term risk for stroke, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Getting enough of it is, therefore, considered a key indicator of good quality shut-eye. Importantly, sleep apnea can limit a person’s ability to get and maintain “deep sleep.”ĭeep sleep, which begins about an hour after falling asleep, is essential to the body’s ability to repair and regenerate tissue, bolster the immune system, and build bone and muscle, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Sleep apnea “has been associated with increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, cognitive impairment and dementia,” Carvalho said.Īnd, he noted, it is known to “cause a range of harmful effects in the brain,” as blood pressure and heart rate rise, oxygen levels drop and sleep is disrupted. He is an assistant professor of neurology at the Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine in Rochester, Minn. stop breathing during sleep, which can affect their sleep quality by causing multiple arousals and dropping oxygen levels,” said lead study author Dr. “Sleep apnea is a medical condition in which patients. The concern stems from a new brain scan investigation that involved 140 sleep apnea patients. THURSDAY, (HealthDay News) - Poor sleep brought on by sleep apnea may ultimately undermine the brain health of older men and women, new research suggests. Editors and writers make all efforts to clarify any financial ties behind the studies on which we report. All of our articles are chosen independent of any financial interests. HeathDay is committed to maintaining the highest possible levels of impartial editorial standards in the content that we present on our website. Any known potential conflicts of interest associated with a study or source are made clear to the reader.Įditorial and Fact-Checking Policy for more detail.Įditorial and Fact-Checking Policy HealthDay Editorial Commitment.Each article includes a link or reference to the original source.Peer-reviewed journals or issued from independent and respected medical associations, academic groups and governmental organizations. Unless otherwise noted, all articles focusing on new research are based on studies published in.All articles are edited and checked for factual accuracy by our.Team of industry experts to ensure accuracy. Our syndicated news content is completely independent of any financial interests, is based solely on industry-respected sources and the latest scientific research, and is carefully fact-checked by a Elsevier 2016.HealthDay operates under the strictest editorial standards. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine, 6th edition. Effects of aging on sleep structure throughout adulthood: a population-based study. ![]() Moraes W, Piovezan R, Poyares D, Bittencourt LR, Santos-Silva R, Tufik S. National Sleep Foundation's sleep quality recommendations: first report. Ohayon M, Wickwire EM, Hirshkowitz M, et al. Auditory deep sleep stimulation in older adults at home: a randomized crossover trial. Lustenberger C, Ferster ML, Huwiler S, et al. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI): Sleep Restriction. Sleep classification according to AASM and Rechtschaffen & Kales: Effects on sleep scoring parameters. ![]()
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