US EditionOHSU Study Links Untreated Sleep Apnea to Higher Risk of Parkinson’s
Study of over 11 million U.S. veterans finds untreated sleep apnea raises Parkinson's risk by 10-15%, while early CPAP treatment cuts risk by about 30%, researchers say.
- On Monday, a JAMA Neurology study led by Oregon Health & Science University and the Portland VA analyzed more than 11 million U.S. veterans' records, finding untreated sleep apnea linked to higher Parkinson's risk.
- Obstructive sleep apnea causes throat muscles to relax and block the airway, causing breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep, and repeated oxygen level drops may stun neurons, Dr. Lee Neilson, M.D., explains.
- About 14% of participants had sleep apnea, and those who started CPAP machines within two years were about 30% less likely to develop Parkinson's, with untreated veterans nearly twice as likely to have it.
- Clinicians said the study could change practice and encourage treatment uptake, noting veterans on CPAP who developed Parkinson's had fewer fractures, falls and lower mortality.
- Researchers will investigate biological mechanisms linking sleep apnea to Parkinson's and whether implanted nerve stimulators or surgical procedures offer similar benefits, while experts stress more research is needed.
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20 Articles
Science Daily
Study finds untreated sleep apnea doubles Parkinson’s risk
A massive veteran study found a strong connection between untreated sleep apnea and a higher chance of Parkinson’s. CPAP users had much lower odds of developing the condition. Researchers believe that repeated dips in oxygen during sleep may strain neurons over time. The results suggest that better sleep might help protect the brain.
Sleep apnea linked to Parkinson’s disease, new study finds | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
In a study published Monday in JAMA Neurology, researchers linked obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes temporary pauses in breathing during sleep, with Parkinson’s disease.
Sleep Apnea Dramatically Raises Parkinson’s Risk, Study Finds
New findings reveal that untreated obstructive sleep apnea can significantly raise the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease, but consistent CPAP use appears to dramatically cut that risk. Scientists suspect that repeated nightly drops in oxygen put long-term strain on neurons, potentially contributing to neurodegeneration. The results highlight how something as simple as improving sleep quality [...]
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