Dementia & Memory Problems

John, normally I would NOT recommend recording someone without their knowledge and consent, but in this particular case, I wonder whether you can use a mobile phone to record some of these episodes where your wife seems to think things from 30 years ago are current. That might help a diagnostician figure out more about what's going on.

I think you have nothing to lose from pursuing treatment for her for apnea and anxiety. But again, I'd recommend another conversation with the most recent doc to understand why he thinks this diagnosis fits her symptoms.

John, What about medicines, is she taking any meds?
Check for side effects and/or interactions here
https://www.rxlist.com/script/main/hp.asp

Johnb69 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 19, 2021 11:37 pm

I have known quite a few people to have OSA and have never heard of anyone’s OSA problems causing dementia.

Good grief, it's surprising that your fellow cpaptalk members don't see the connections between OSA and dementia. Personally, I am convinced that many cases of dementia are caused by untreated sleep apnea. There are many citations backing this up in numerous blog posts by Dr. Park - https://doctorstevenpark.com/?s=dementia&submit=Search

Thanks again all,

Chicago granny I’m familiar with all the studies and such. I’m a very finite person. I would like to see something with science behind it. The studies are out there with some coronations but the majority of them are very small pools. Some as small as 17-20 people. I can’t put any weight into something so important to me with studies based on such small sample groups.

I would agree there may be a correlation but for a diagnosis I need to be certain.

Thank u

DJB

They have diagnosed her with OSA and extreme anxiety.
...
The doctor who diagnosed her today is a very highly respected neurologist who specializes in dementia and memory patients. He is convinced her sleep problems and stress are the cause of these problems.

Which problems? Symptoms of dementia? Seizures?

Are you thinking the OSA shouldn't be treated? Assuming she had an in-lab PSG, how severe were the results of the study?

You may not be satisfied with the science, but it is very clear that untreated sleep apnea has a negative impact on cognitive ability, attention skills and executive functions.

I'm not sure where your spouse's seizures fit in. I suppose severe apnea could cause a seizure???

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 21, 2021 6:25 pm

I'm not sure where your spouse's seizures fit in. I suppose severe apnea could cause a seizure???

As I mentioned earlier in this thread... my brother-in-law had his first of several seizures that was so bad, he ended up in the hospital. During that stay he had many tests which ultimately led to a diagnosis of Dementia.

Lucyhere wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 21, 2021 11:04 pm

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 21, 2021 6:25 pm

I'm not sure where your spouse's seizures fit in. I suppose severe apnea could cause a seizure???

As I mentioned earlier in this thread... my brother-in-law had his first of several seizures that was so bad, he ended up in the hospital. During that stay he had many tests which ultimately led to a diagnosis of Dementia.

So sorry for him and the family. But, the OP is interested in the connection between apnea and the other problems his spouse has.

I know you want science and big peer-reviewed studies, but at a certain point you have to just go for it, too. Treating apnea falls squarely into that couldn't hurt and might really help category. Anything that does that is worthwhile in your situation. And untreated apnea will definitely make matters worse, no matter the cause turns out to be.

I recommend you watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pozyDRa ... Tl&index=5

I was on a patient panel with Karen at the 2019 American Sleep Apnea Association conference. Karen was experiencing significant memory issues related to her sleep apnea and when her sleep apnea was adequately treated she had significant improvement. She didn't do well with CPAP and eventually used a stimulation implant, but the point is that her memory issues were greatly helped by optimally treating her apnea.

It's hard to wrap your head around a dementia diagnosis and words like Alzheimers are scary, but the Alzheimer's Association has resources for you, including support groups (that are probably virtual these days) for you and maybe for your kids as well. Unfortunately, your story is not unique. I work with families with younger and younger dementia patients all the time. You will find other spouses dealing with the same issues--it's especially helpful to talk to others who have been where you are now and can give you pointers. This doesn't mean you have to stop looking for a cause or treatable issue, it just means that support you need is available on your journey.

Johnb69 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 19, 2021 11:37 pm

...most recently a sleep study...

John, I am so sorry. My sleep study in 2007 had another 'patient' a man with dementia. My sleep doc, who ran the sleep lab, said sleep apnea can mimic dementia because highly-fragmented sleep prevents deep, restful sleep with its 'brain washing.' During that deep phase, cerebrospinal fluid permeates the brain and literally washes away the debris that's accumulated during our awake period. With ALZ, it's the tau and beta tangles; with Lewy-body dementia and Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonisms, it's the alpha synclein protein that mis-folds and sticks to other mis-folded proteins forming clumps called Lewy bodies at the neuron level blocking cell-to-cell communication and/or normal function. We do not yet understand what initiates the tangles or the mis-folding. There was a 2015 Brazilian study (ies?) that showed that sub-clinical doses of doxicycline (40-60 mgm) preferentially folds to the spherical rather than the spindle form making it less likely to stick to other particles, an 80% reduction in creation of Lewy bodies.

Read NIH studies for helpful articles), I did and it helped dealing with and understanding my mom's Lewy-body dementia (LBD). Wishing you the best on the journey.

NBC just did a segment on memory, alzheimer's, and sleep. They mentioned next week is Sleep Awareness Week and will be doing segments all week.

A good book to read is "Why We Sleep" by Matthew Walker. It's an easy but informative read

From what I have read, sleep apnea can contribute a lot of the problems your wife is experiencing. Deep and REM sleep are missed when a person is waking constantly throughout the night. These forms of sleep are the occasions when the memory consolidation and memory filing is performed by the brain. Also the constant awakenings can cause a fight or flight / adrenaline response which could contribute to anxiety.

Another area that could be explored is TIAs. TIAs can also be responsible for dementia. They are like little mini strokes lasting for even just seconds. Enough of these TIAs happen over months and years and dementia can occur. The brain being damaged from these minute oxygen deprivations. I think unregulated blood pressure is the root of this.

These changes your wife has experienced need not, necessarily, be permanent. There is a, fairly old book now, called "The Brain that Changes Itself" by Norman Dodge. He talks about brain plasticity in adults. The ability of the brain to make new pathways and resume functions. From my own experience, speech therapy had a very positive outcome for a parent with dementia, improving not only speech but cognitive functions as well.