Past research has linked the accumulation of amyloid plaque in the brain with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, researchers analyzed spinal fluid samples from 208 older men and women without dementia and found signs that indicated the presence of brain plaque in the samples taken from those with sleep apnea. This concerns researchers, as some estimates indicate that half of the elderly population suffers from sleep apnea of varying severity. The findings suggest that treating sleep apnea could help reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, November 2017