Can Sleep Apnea Affect Your Memory? Unveiling the Truth

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which people stop and restart breathing repeatedly while asleep. There are two main types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs due to airflow blockage when muscles in the upper airway relax during sleep.

• Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the signals from the brain to the muscles that control breathing are faulty.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms 

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring

• Brief episodes of stopped breathing during sleep (reported by a bed partner)

• Gasping for air while asleep

• Poor quality sleep

• Feeling tired during the day

• Dry mouth

• Morning headaches

• Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep)

• Hypersomnia or excessive daytime drowsiness

• Difficulty concentrating and focusing

• Mental health symptoms such as irritability

Complications of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that can cause the following health complications if it is not treated:

• Fatigue and daytime sleepiness

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Liver problems

• Complications with general anesthesia and surgeries

How Sleep Apnea Affects Brain Function

Although the human brain constitutes only 2% of body weight, it consumes about 20% of our oxygen. The brain needs this enormous amount of oxygen to perform thousands of processes and function properly. 

Researchers believe that sleep apnea can affect brain function and impact memory because OSA patients repeatedly stop breathing at night. This obstruction prevents sufficient oxygen from reaching the brain tissue. The ischemia (decreased blood flow) and hypoxia (decreased oxygen levels) can lead to structural damage in the brain and changes in brain function, including problems with memory and attention.

Other factors can also affect memory in people with sleep apnea. A good night’s sleep is vital for repair, restoration, and healthy brain function. Experts believe impaired cognitive functions (memory and thinking problems) may result from frequent arousals throughout the night, disrupted sleep cycles, and overall poor sleep quality in people with sleep apnea. Find out “How Much Sleep Do You Need Each Night?”

Research Findings on Sleep Apnea and Memory Loss

Researchers have published many studies attempting to establish a link between sleep apnea and memory and thinking problems. Some of the findings are described briefly below.

People with Sleep Apnea Have a 50% Higher Risk of Memory and Thinking Problems

The American Academy of Neurology and Boston Medical Center conducted a study on over 4,200 people to see if there’s a link between sleep symptoms (snorting, gasping, and breathing pauses) and memory and thinking problems (forgetfulness, confusion, concentration problems,  and decision-making problems). The researchers found that people who reported sleep apnea symptoms had 50% greater odds of having memory or thinking problems than those without.

Sleep Apnea Affects Both Immediate and Delayed Memory

A meta-analysis of 42 studies involving over 2,200 adults with untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) found that people who experience sleep apnea have significantly impaired memory, including immediate recall (difficulty remembering recent events), delayed recall, visual and verbal episodic memory, recognition, and learning, compared to healthy controls.

Sleep Apnea Can Hasten Cognitive Decline

Researchers have found that people with sleep apnea are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment ten years earlier, on average, compared to people who don’t have sleep-disordered breathing. 

Sleep Apnea is Linked to Neurodegenerative Disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

Researchers have found a strong correlation between obstructive sleep apnea and neurodegenerative conditions. OSA patients have structural changes in their gray-and-white matter and problems with memory, attention, and executive function. Moreover, OSA is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease. 

Numerous studies have found a connection between sleep apnea and dementia. In fact, research indicates that damage in the brain starts in the same location and spreads similarly in people with sleep apnea as those with Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid plaques similar to those found in Alzheimer’s have been identified in the brains of people with a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea. Fortunately, research suggests that early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea may potentially reverse some of the changes in the brain. Learn more: Dementia vs Alzheimer’s: Similarities and Differences.

Signs of Memory Loss Related to Sleep Apnea

Early Warning Signs and Symptoms

The early signs of memory loss are frequently mistaken as a normal part of the aging process. Also, the symptoms typically develop slowly and can go unnoticed for a long time. Signs to watch out for include:

• Forgetfulness or memory problems, especially short-term memory (trouble remembering recent events)

• Decreased concentration

• Increasing confusion

• Changes in personality or behavior

• Withdrawal from social life

• Depression

• Apathy (loss of interest)

• Loss of ability to do daily tasks

Normal Memory Issues vs. Sleep Apnea-Related Memory Loss

It can be difficult to distinguish between age-related memory issues, memory problems due to other neurological conditions, and memory loss related to people’s sleep apnea. The only way to find out is to seek care for sleep apnea symptoms. If the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea improves memory and thinking problems, a link between the two can be assumed.

When to Seek Professional Help

Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that should be treated to prevent long-term health complications. If you or a loved one has signs of sleep-disordered breathing, such as loud snoring that disrupts sleep, pauses in breathing throughout the night, or excessive daytime drowsiness, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. Check out our blog for strategies to stop snoring.

How to Reverse Memory Loss Due to Sleep Apnea?

Diagnosis of Sleep Apnea

Research shows that early screening and treatment of sleep apnea can delay cognitive decline, prevent memory problems, and reverse some of the changes in the brain that occur due to sleep apnea. 

Your healthcare provider can diagnose sleep apnea based on your symptoms, medical history, and sleep history. Your bed partner or a household member may need to give their input for an appropriate diagnosis. 

A confirmed diagnosis of sleep apnea can be made with a polysomnogram or sleep study. Your doctor performs this study by having you sleep overnight in a sleep clinic or lab. During the test, you're connected to medical equipment that monitors your heart, lung, brain activity, breathing patterns, limb movements, and oxygen levels during sleep. A sleep medicine specialist evaluates the results. 

Note: It’s possible to do a simplified sleep study at home; however, you may still have to undergo polysomnography if your provider suspects sleep apnea on the home study. You may need to see other medical professionals, such as an ENT, neurologist, or cardiologist, to find the cause of your sleep apnea.

Treatments for Sleep Apnea: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Other Options

Your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following treatment options for sleep apnea:

• Lifestyle changes for mild sleep apnea, like weight loss, quitting smoking, and changes in sleeping position.

• Treatment of other medical conditions such as nasal allergies or blockages in the nasal passages that can affect breathing.

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a device that delivers air at a higher pressure to keep the upper airway open and prevent obstructive sleep apnea. 

• Other airway pressure devices, oral appliances such as BiPAP, and dental devices help to maintain an open airway during sleep. 

• Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) is a relatively new treatment for sleep apnea. It is a device that regulates airflow based on stored information about your breathing patterns during sleep. ASV is only for certain types of sleep apnea and is not safe for people with severe heart failure.

• Medications such as acetazolamide to regulate breathing. Changes in medications can affect breathing, for example, opioid drugs.

• Supplemental oxygen for central sleep apnea.

• Surgery for obstructive sleep apnea if other treatment options fail. These options may include:

  • Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty to remove tissues from the upper throat.

  • Radiofrequency ablation to remove or shrink tissues blocking the upper airways.

  • Maxillomandibular advancement (jaw repositioning surgery) to enlarge the area behind the tongue.

  • Soft palate implants.

  • Placement of a nerve stimulator to control tongue movements and keep the airway open.

  • Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (surgery to remove enlarged tonsils and adenoids).

  • Bariatric surgery for weight loss.

  • Tracheostomy (creation of a new air passage) for severe, life-threatening sleep apnea when all other treatments fail.

Cognitive Exercises and Activities

In addition to getting sleep apnea treatment, you can keep your mind and memory sharp with cognitive exercises and activities. One way to do this is to play computer games and puzzles designed to enhance memory and provide cognitive stimulation. You can also include brain exercises in your daily routine to improve cognitive function, for example:

• Take a different route when driving home.

• Use your non-dominant hand to brush your teeth.

• Make a mental list of grocery items and test your recall against a written list. 

• Do math in your head.

• Draw a map from memory after visiting a new place.

• Learn a new skill, such as playing a musical instrument, taking a cooking class, or learning a new language or sport.

• Play racquet sports or other activities that require hand-eye coordination.

How to Lower the Risk of Memory Loss Caused by Sleep Apnea?

You can lower your risk of developing sleep apnea and associated memory problems with the following lifestyle changes:

• Maintain a healthy body weight by eating a healthy diet. Obesity is a risk factor for sleep apnea.

• Get regular exercise. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as a brisk walk, on most days of the week.

• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking sedative medications, which can cause relaxation of throat muscles and cause or worsen sleep apnea symptoms. 

• Sleep on your abdomen or side rather than your back. Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and soft palate to block the top of your throat. Sewing a tennis ball to the back of your pajama top can prevent you from rolling onto your back during sleep.

• Quit smoking if you smoke.

Common Questions

Can Sleep Apnea Mess With Your Memory?

Yes, sleep apnea can mess with your memory due to reduced oxygen supply to the brain during sleep. You may also experience daytime drowsiness and trouble focusing due to sleep disruption caused by sleep apnea.

Can Sleep Apnea Cause Early Onset Dementia?

Many studies have found a link between sleep apnea and dementia. Studies have also found that people with sleep apnea experience cognitive decline up to 10 years earlier compared to people who don’t have this condition.

Can Dementia From Sleep Apnea Be Reversed?

Some of the changes in the brain that occur due to sleep apnea may be reversible. The sooner sleep apnea is diagnosed and treated, the higher the chances that dementia and memory and thinking problems can be reversed. 

What's the Worst That Can Happen with Sleep Apnea?

Untreated OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) can increase a person’s risk of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and even death.