A recent study led by the University of California, Irvine has uncovered a potential link between sleep apnea and verbal memory impairment in older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Verbal memory, which involves the ability to retain and recall information presented through spoken or written words, is known to be particularly vulnerable to Alzheimer’s. The research team specifically looked at the frequency of sleep apnea events during the rapid-eye-movement (REM) stage of sleep and found that higher ratios of apnea events during REM were associated with worse memory performance.
The study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, highlighted the importance of considering events that occur during REM sleep when evaluating individuals for sleep apnea. Lead researcher Bryce Mander emphasized that the overall averages of apnea severity may appear lower if only non-REM sleep stages are taken into account, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and undertreatment. By focusing on sleep-stage-specific apnea severity, clinicians may be better equipped to identify and address issues related to memory function.
In addition to the connection between sleep apnea and memory decline, the study also found that women were more likely to experience a greater proportion of their apneic events during REM sleep compared to men. This gender difference in sleep patterns could potentially contribute to the increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease among women. These findings underscore the importance of considering individual sleep patterns and addressing REM-specific events when developing personalized approaches to the assessment and treatment of sleep disorders.
The study involved 81 middle-aged and older adults with heightened risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, including a genetic predisposition and a parental history of the disease. Participants underwent polysomnography, a comprehensive sleep test that records various physiological parameters during sleep, as well as verbal memory assessments. The results confirmed that apnea events during REM were a critical factor contributing to verbal memory decline in this population, highlighting the complex relationship between sleep apnea, memory function, and Alzheimer’s risk.
The research team, which included lead author Kitty K. Lui and faculty and graduate students from multiple institutions, received support from the National Institute on Aging, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. These findings provide valuable insights into the potential impact of sleep apnea on verbal memory and Alzheimer’s risk, emphasizing the need for proactive and personalized approaches to the assessment and treatment of sleep disorders. By identifying and addressing REM-specific events, clinicians may be able to better tailor interventions to individual sleep patterns and improve outcomes for at-risk individuals.
