Work

The Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer’s Disease

Year: 2018

Type: review

Abstract: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are highly prevalent conditions with growing impact on our aging society. While the causes of OSA are now better characterized, the mechanisms underlying AD are still largely unknown, challenging the development of effective treatments. Cognitive impairment, especially affecting attention and executive functions, is a recognized clinical consequence of OSA. A deeper contribution of OSA to AD pathogenesis is now gaining support from several lines of research. OSA is intrinsically associated with disruptions of sleep architecture, intermittent hypoxia and oxidative stress, intrathoracic and hemodynamic changes as well as cardiovascular comorbidities. All of these could increase the risk for AD, rendering OSA as a potential modifiable target for AD prevention. Evidence supporting the relevance of each of these mechanisms for AD risk, as well as a possible effect of AD in OSA expression, will be explored in this review.

Source: Journal of Alzheimer s Disease

DOI: 10.3233/jad-179936

Authors: Andreia G. Andrade, Omonigho M. Bubu, Andrew W. Varga, Ricardo S. Osorio

Institutions: NYU Langone Health, University of South Florida, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research

Language: English

Topic: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research

Subfield: Physiology (medical)

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute on Aging, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute