Sleep Apnea and Memory Loss: The Surprising Connection

Everyone has memory slips once in a while, but when there is a pattern of forgetfulness, that can be very concerning! The brain is a complex structure, and many factors can contribute to memory loss, including sleep apnea! Would you like to learn more about this surprising connection? Continue reading below to discover some fascinating details.

Sleep Apnea and Cognitive Decline

Several studies have been conducted that highlight a strong correlation between poor sleep and poor brain health. One recent study, which was presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting, found that people with sleep apnea are 50% more likely to have cognitive problems than healthy sleepers.

Other research studies have found similarly concerning results. For example, there is a consistent correlation between sleep apnea and a heightened risk of dementia.

What Explains the Connection?

There are several possible explanations for the connection between sleep apnea and memory problems:

• Poor consolidation. During sleep, your brain consolidates new memories. Most of this process takes place during the deeper stages of sleep. Very often, sleep apnea causes microarousals that can prevent a person from getting an adequate amount of deep sleep.
• Overworked neurons. Sleep supports the connections between neurons within the brain. A lack of sleep can cause these neurons to become overworked.
• Poor focus. A lack of high-quality sleep can make it difficult to focus on learning new information, which means that it may not be properly stored in your memory.
• Changes in brain structure. Sleep apnea may damage gray matter and white matter in the brain. This can negatively affect the way different parts of the brain communicate with one another.

Protect Your Memory with Sleep Apnea Treatment

Fortunately, early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea may be able to prevent or slow down cognitive decline.

If you have been feeling tired and are struggling with your memory, talk to your doctor about undergoing a sleep test. Afterward, you might find that you are a candidate for oral appliance therapy, which uses a custom device to promote proper nighttime breathing and high-quality sleep. This type of treatment is non-invasive, effective, and much more comfortable than more popular therapies, such as the use of a CPAP machine.

Your memory is at the heart of who you are and who you may become! Keep it healthy by protecting the quality of your sleep.

Meet the Practice

Drs. Kenneth Mogell and Yitta Garden are proud to provide oral appliance therapy for individuals in the Melbourne, FL, community and beyond. Dr. Mogell is double board-certified in his area of expertise, and Dr. Garden is a member of the prestigious American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. To learn more about our sleep dentists and how our team may be able to serve you, contact us at 321-265-3462.