New preclinical models have helped scientists demonstrate how breathing is disrupted during sleep
Researchers have long discovered a constant connectionbetween sleep apnea and several types of dementia. A systematic review published earlier this year confirmed this correlation. However, scientists have long been tormented by the question of whether sleep apnea contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases, or whether breathing problems are in themselves an early symptom.
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) -a disease in which the patient snores, periodic collapse of the upper respiratory tract at the level of the pharynx occurs and breathing stops, the level of blood oxygen saturation decreases, and there is a pronounced disturbance in the structure, duration and depth of sleep.
Biologists have developed a method for modeling disturbancebreathing during sleep in mice. The goal is to replicate the key features of sleep apnea and study its effect on the brain in the absence of any other underlying diagnoses, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
It turned out that hypoxia causes the sameselective degeneration of neurons, which is also characteristic of dementia. As a result, scientists have concluded that sleep apnea is a risk factor contributing to the development of Alzheimer's disease.
CPAP. Photo: en.freepik.com
Scientists also explained whether activetreatment of sleep apnea to reduce the risk of developing dementia in a person. The most common method of treatment is the use of a CPAP machine (from the English Constant Positive Airway Pressure, CPAP). This is a device that provides artificial ventilation and prevents hypoxia during sleep.
Scientists were unable to find CPAP for mice,but experimentally prevented hypoxia. Ultimately, it stopped cognitive impairment and neuronal death, and also reduced Alzheimer's pathology. “This suggests that CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea may reduce the risk of dementia,” the scientists conclude.
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