Article: Sleep apnea linked to cognitive impairment in women

[GrizzlyBear]

I note the article linking increased cognitive impairment in women with sleep apnea. The mean age of the women involved was 82.8 years. The process has a number of holes in it, several of which are noted in the article, but it looks like a GOOD reason for apnea sufferers to keep up with their treatment. I have noted on this site that there is a pretty high dropout rate of people undergoing treatment. It's worth noting, also, that the results do not (perhaps cannot) show a cause and effect link between apneas and cognitive impairment.

I wonder whether or not the same sort of experiment would find a similar result among men. They could drop the mean age to 53 years, and I reckon they would be finding cognitive impairment in at least one male - me!!!! Mind you, that's probably got more to do with excess beer consumption than sleep apnea. My students seem to think that anyone over about 20 suffers from increased cognitive impairment - so at 53 I must be well on the way!!!!!

Regards,

GrizzlyBear

[BrnEyez]

Huh? I don't understand. . .

[papoose]

BrnEyez...

GrizzlyBear is referring to an article in today's cpaptalk banner. It was interesting to me, as cognitive impairment has affected two of my female relatives with OSA, as well as my dad.

My grandmother died before sleep apnea was widely recognized, but I suspect she had it because she was always tired, needed a daily nap for most of her life, and was dependent on sleeping pills. In old age, she was quite forgetful and disoriented, but it wasn't Alzheimer's.

My sister became very forgetful and mentally impaired in her early 50's. After her OSA diagnosis and treatment, her mind came back.

Our dad also had OSA for over 30 years before he died. He was never treated, but I suspect that his dementia was due to untreated apnea.

What the article says is that older women with untreated apnea are more likely to suffer cognitive impairment if they have a certain gene variant. It doesn't say that apnea leads to dementia, but that a relationship does exist.

The article has me wondering if my family has this genetic variant, and if it is behind the physical characteristics sometimes linked to OSA. In my case, as well as my sister's, our doctors blame our apnea on an abnormal physical structure, perhaps inherited from our dad and his mother.

[Perchancetodream]

I read this article this morning and thought it was interesting.

Today I realized that this week I had started doing the daily crossword puzzle in the LA Times. I used to work them all the time and stopped some years ago. Cognitive impairment? Perhaps.

Of course, I'm only 58 and have only been on xPAP for four months, but this is the first clear indicator that more than my energy may be returning.

Susan

[Moby]

Here's the link for when it disappears off the banner:

http://pub.ucsf.edu/newsservices/releases/200801102/

[Country4ever]

I can't even read the article, 'cause I'm so cognitively impaired!
I don't know if its fibromyalgia, menopause or apnea, but I'm getting stupider and stupider at an alarming rate!
I've only been on CPAP since last spring, and my numbers are fairly good.........but my brain keeps getting worse and worse. I think hard all day about lots of things, hoping that will keep my brain in shape, but nope, I just keep getting stupider.
I must spend a couple hours a day just tryign to remember words!
I can't remember things that happened 5 minutes ago. Its getting scary. And I'm only 58.

[Moby]

ADD

You were too sleepy and exhausted before to register it's effects on you.

My meds help ... when I remember to take them

Di

[rwalther]

The cognitive loss condition is especially acute in women with blonde hair.



(Sorry ... couldn't help myself !!!)

[Moby]

The cognitive loss condition is especially acute in women with blonde hair.



(Sorry ... couldn't help myself !!!)

You are now in Big Trouble, Mister!!!!!

[GumbyCT]

Men or women doesn't matter.

The only time YOU can tell the difference is IF you've ever found relief from the brain fog. If you haven't - well you think everything (except you) is messed up.

Reminds me of closing time at your local bar.

Don't believe me- just read some of my posts.

ps. Moby thanks for adding the linking - that is proof your therapy IS effective.

PostPosted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:32 pm Post subject:
Here's the link for when it disappears off the banner:

http://pub.ucsf.edu/newsservices/releases/200801102/

[BrnEyez]

Papoose....I was just trying to be funny. I understood what was being said.

[GumbyCT]

Papoose....I was just trying to be funny. I understood what was being said.

Perfect example of the brain fog!!! People don't get the funnies, ha.