Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and other sleep disorders are silent threats to public health.
Researchers at Flinders University are developing improved solutions to mitigate these disorders’ harmful health effects, which include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, anxiety, depression, and even long-term cognitive decline.
A Covert Connection
A recent study published in Sleep Health highlights the heightened risk of cognitive function decline from undiagnosed Obstructive sleep apnea, especially in middle-aged men.
By recording the sleep patterns of more than 470 men aged 41 to 87 and assessing their daytime cognitive functions, researchers observed a significant correlation between OSA severity and various cognitive domains.
Decoding the Sleep Spindles
The study aimed to explore the role of ‘sleep spindles,’ distinct features of brain electrical activity during non-REM sleep, as markers of cognitive function.
As sleep researcher Dr. Jesse Parker from Flinders University explains, non-REM sleep is believed to play a crucial role in learning and memory.
The research found cross-sectional associations between next-day cognitive function and sleep spindle metrics, with OSA severity being a vital factor in this relationship.
The Variability of Sleep Apnea
Despite the availability of standard clinical tests for OSA detection, the condition’s manifestation varies significantly among individuals based on gender, age, and other factors.
Current interventions like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or specific dental devices may not be universally effective, which underscores the need for personalized treatments.
Repercussions of Unchecked OSA
Sleep apnea affects over 1 billion people worldwide and, if untreated, may significantly increase the risk of numerous health issues such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, and depression.
In Australia, the economic cost associated with sleep disorders is estimated at a staggering $66 billion a year.
The Pursuit of Better Treatments
Given these alarming facts, the researchers from Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute Sleep Health recommend long-term investigations into sleep spindle phases and OSA to improve future treatments.
Associate Professor Andrew Vakulin, the senior author of the publication, emphasizes the need for better, tailored treatments for individual cases, including co-occurring conditions such as insomnia and sleep apnea.
These efforts could not only improve the overall quality of sleep but also potentially protect cognitive function, thereby enhancing public health on multiple fronts.
If you care about sleep, please read studies about exercise that can help you sleep better, and this new drug could reduce symptoms of sleep apnea.
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The study was published in Sleep Health.
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