How obstructive sleep apnoea affects memory and brain function

Obstructive sleep apnoea, commonly associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, also plays a significant but less recognised role in memory decline, according to a new review.

Researchers have reviewed evidence from human and animal studies showing that OSA patients often experience notable memory impairments, particularly in visual and verbal working memory.

They report that key features of OSA – intermittent hypoxia (IH) and sleep fragmentation (SF) – trigger biological processes such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal injury, altered synaptic plasticity, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction, all of which contribute to cognitive decline.

Disease severity and duration are strongly linked to poorer memory performance, with measures like the Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) correlating with the extent of impairment.

While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy remains the most effective treatment for protecting cognitive function, the authors stress the need for additional therapies and more precise diagnostic tools to identify and manage OSA-related memory dysfunction.

Early changes observed through brain imaging, EEG, and blood biomarkers may serve as emerging predictors of cognitive decline.

The authors also highlight future research directions, including the role of gut microbiota, genetic factors, and epigenetic changes in OSA-related memory decline.

They suggest that multidimensional clinical profiling could support the development of personalised treatment strategies.