Scientists from Boston Medical Center have found that apnea (periodic cessation of breathing in a sleeping person) can cause impaired attention and memory due to decreased quality of night sleep. Research results published On the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) website.
4257 people participated in the research. Participants filled out a survey answering questions about the quality of their sleep as well as the presence of problems with memory and thinking. Specifically, volunteers were asked to report whether they had difficulty remembering, confusion, decreased concentration, or trouble making decisions.
Among the total number of participants, 1079 people reported sleep apnea symptoms. Of these, 357 people (or 33%) reported problems with memory or thinking. In the non-apnea group, 628 people (or 20% of the total) reported experiencing similar difficulties.
After accounting for other factors that potentially affect cognitive performance, such as age, race, gender and education, researchers found that people who reported symptoms of sleep apnea were approximately 50% more likely to experience poor memory performance and attention problems.
Researchers suggested that waking up frequently at night due to pauses in breathing (apnea) reduces sleep quality. Insufficient or intermittent sleep at night also negatively affects cognitive skills.
former somnologist said About modern methods of treating snoring.