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sleep apnea

·May 13, 2025·4 min read

Sleep Apnea Erodes Memory Over Time

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) contributes to significant memory decline, especially in visual and verbal working memory, according to a new review of human and animal studies. Key features of OSA, intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation, drive brain inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal injury, impairing memory and cognition.

This shows a woman sleeping and a brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 7, 2025·3 min read

Sleep Apnea May Harm Brain Areas Key to Memory

A new study has linked obstructive sleep apnea to brain damage in areas critical for memory, likely due to low oxygen levels during REM sleep. Researchers found that people with lower oxygen saturation during REM had more white matter hyperintensities—signs of small vessel damage—on brain scans.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 16, 2025·4 min read

Gut Microbiome May Hold Key to Treating Sleep Apnea

A new review highlights growing evidence linking gut health to sleep apnea, suggesting that changes in gut microbiota may influence the severity of sleep-disordered breathing. These microbial imbalances are associated with increased inflammation, leaky gut, and impaired gut-brain communication—all of which may exacerbate obstructive sleep apnea.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·December 4, 2024·4 min read

Sleep Apnea May Increase Risk of Wet Macular Degeneration

A new study has linked moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by low oxygen levels overnight, with an increased risk of developing wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The research suggests nocturnal hypoxia could affect the oxygen-sensitive retina, contributing to AMD progression.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 20, 2024·5 min read

Snoring Tied to High Blood Pressure Risk

Regular snoring, especially in overweight middle-aged men, is linked to elevated blood pressure and uncontrolled hypertension. The study used home-based monitoring to objectively show the connection between snoring and hypertension. Findings emphasize the need to consider snoring in healthcare, particularly for managing hypertension. This large-scale study highlights the potential consequences of snoring on long-term health.

This shows a man sleeping with a CPAP on.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·August 23, 2023·6 min read

CPAP Therapy Slows Aging Tied to Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common condition marked by breathing interruptions during sleep, accelerates aging by hastening telomere shortening. However, a study found that using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can counteract this effect. CPAP, while often resisted due to its complexity, not only helps in cardiovascular and metabolic aspects but also curtails inflammation, slowing down telomere reduction.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·June 1, 2023·3 min read

Sleep Apnea and Its Link to Alzheimer’s Associated Brain Changes

A new study uncovers a new link between sleep apnea and brain volume in Alzheimer's susceptible regions. The study found that people with Alzheimer's disease-linked amyloid plaques and severe sleep apnea were more likely to have reduced volumes in memory-associated regions of the brain, like the hippocampus.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 30, 2023·4 min read

Sleep Apnea’s Deep Impact on Gene Activity

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common disorder resulting in low blood oxygen levels, triggers significant changes in gene activity throughout the day. The study subjected mice to intermittent hypoxic conditions, similar to those experienced by OSA sufferers, and found substantial alterations in gene transcription across multiple tissues.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 11, 2023·6 min read

Increased Long-Covid Risk for Those With Sleep Apnea

The risk of developing long COVID symptoms may be significantly increased in adults with sleep apnea.

This shows a person sleeping and brain activity.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 11, 2023·4 min read

Link Between Sleep Apnea, Deep Sleep Deficit, and Brain Health Risks

A new study reveals a potential link between sleep apnea, reduced time in deep sleep, and brain biomarkers associated with increased risk of conditions like stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 6, 2023·5 min read

Obstructive Sleep Apnea May Directly Cause Early Cognitive Decline

Even in the absence of co-morbidities and obesity, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated with cognitive decline, poorer executive function, and decreased impulsive control in middle-aged men.