Sleep Apnea and Deep Sleep Deficit Increase Brain Health Risks, Study Shows.

A study involving 140 people with obstructive sleep apnea found a potential link between sleep apnea, reduced time in deep sleep, and brain biomarkers associated with increased risk of conditions like stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline. Participants with severe sleep apnea displayed a higher volume of white matter hyperintensities and reduced axonal integrity, both of which are key biomarkers of brain health. The study stresses that sleep disturbances are not definitively the cause of these brain changes, but the correlation warrants further investigation.