Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant contributing factor to memory loss, according to a study published in Sleep Medicine Reviews.
A team of researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong Medical University and Marshall Medical School in the United States examined preclinical and clinical data, demonstrating that OSA patients frequently experience memory impairment and exceptionally verbal and visual working memory abnormalities.
The study explains that key features of OSA, such as intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation, trigger biological processes that lead to cognitive decline. These processes include neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neural damage, changes in synaptic plasticity, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction.
The severity and duration of OSA correlate with the extent of memory decline. While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is currently effective in protecting cognitive function, the researchers emphasize the need for additional treatment methods and more precise diagnostic tools to manage OSA-related memory disorders.
Looking ahead, the team aims to investigate the roles of gut microbiota, genetic factors, and epigenetic changes in OSA-related memory decline. They hope to develop a personalized treatment approach through multidimensional clinical profiling.
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