I've been doing a little research on the possibility of improving memory by treating sleep apnea. I'd appreciate any comments.
There are studies that link sleep apnea to memory loss and dementia.
Some studies find that treatment of sleep apnea can actually restore brain
tissue and bring remarkable improvement in gray matter and cognition, in some
cases.
"The prevalence of OSA [obstructive sleep apnea] in patients with dementia has been estimated to be as high as 70 to 80 percent."
A commonly recommended treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine which
involves wearing a mask while sleeping. Many people find this uncomfortable.
There are other possible treatments for sleep apnea. Might any of these improve memory?
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Articles about sleep apnea’s link to memory loss and dementia:
Breathe Deep—Nighttime Oxygen Loss Linked to Dementia
http://www.alzforum.org/new/detail.asp?id=2874
Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/306/6/654
Study suggests a link between sleep-disordered breathing and later cognitive decline
http://harvardpartnersinternational.staywellsolutionsonline.com/HealthNewsLetters/69,M1111g
Changes in Cognitive Function Associated with Sleep Disordered Breathing in Older People
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2001.49270.x/abstract;jsessionid=70D6636ECA551C556A900FDEF64CED21.d04t02?userIsAuthenticated=false&deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=
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Articles about CPAP treatment restoring brain tissue and improving memory:
CPAP Therapy Restores Brain Tissue in Adults With Sleep Apnea, Study Finds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100607065550.htm
Memory Improves After Sleep Apnea Therapy (CPAP)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061212091922.htm
Obstructive sleep apnea: brain structural changes and neurocognitive function before and after treatment
“After treatment, we observed significant improvements involving memory, attention,
and executive-functioning that paralleled gray-matter volume increases in
hippocampal and frontal structures.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21037021?dopt=Abstract
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Studies about sleep apnea treatment and Alzheimer’s:
Treating Sleep Apnea In Alzheimer's Patients Helps Cognition
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081203184701.htm
Sustained use of CPAP slows deterioration of cognition, sleep, and mood in patients with Alzheimer's disease and obstructive sleep apnea: a preliminary study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19968005?dopt=Abstract
Cognitive effects of treating obstructive sleep apnea in Alzheimer's disease: a
randomized controlled study.
“OSA [obstructive sleep apnea] may aggravate cognitive dysfunction in dementia and thus may be a reversible
cause of cognitive loss in patients with AD. OSA treatment seems to improve
some cognitive functioning.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18795985?dopt=Abstract
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Possible alternative treatments for sleep apnea ?
L-tryptophan in the treatment of impaired respiration in sleep
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6360258
My comment: Unfortunately, L-tryptophan’s safety became a concern because of past problems with contaminants. A possible alternative to L-tryptophan is 5-hydroxytryptophan, also called 5-HTP.
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/5-hydroxytryptophan-000283.htm
Sleep Apnea? Compression Stockings May Help a Lot
http://www.prohealth.com/library/print.cfm?libid=16437
The paper: http://www.thoracic.org/media/press-releases/resources/redolfi-080211.pdf
"Off-the-shelf thigh length compression stockings exerting an ankle pressure of 20 mmHg or more were fitted according to the subjects’ leg dimensions. The subjects slipped their stockings on immediately after awakening in the morning, wore them throughout the day until bedtime in the evening, when they removed them only after retiring to bed."
Mediterranean Diet and Exercise Can Reduce Sleep Apnea Symptoms
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111102093043.htm
Other possible treatments for sleep apnea include:
sleep apnea pillows
oral appliances (special mouthpieces worn at night)
nasal devices (special nasal strips or inserts)
bed wedges to prop up the sleeper
weight loss
surgery
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More on sleep apnea symptoms, diagnosis and treatment:
http://www.sleepassociation.org/index.php?p=sleepapneapublic