Arousal threshold and the effect of CPAP on neurocognitive function: a new step towards a precision medicine approach fo
Extract
Could the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) lead to improvements in neurocognitive performance and a reduction in the risk of dementia? In recent years, research has increasingly focused on the neurocognitive consequences of OSA, yet this critical question remains unanswered. A growing body of evidence supports a strong link between OSA and neurocognitive impairment, revealing that OSA is associated with changes in brain structures that are vital for cognitive function [1, 2]. Critically, OSA has been linked to lower cognitive performance [3], accelerated rate of cognitive decline [4] and an increased risk of developing dementia [5]. While there is currently no consensus on whether OSA should be viewed as a modifiable risk factor for dementia [6], some experts suggest that OSA treatment using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy could be a valuable intervention for patients at high risk of dementia due to its potential to enhance cognitive function and lower dementia risk [7].
