A recent study suggests that individuals diagnosed with sleep apnea may lower their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by initiating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy within two years of their diagnosis. This finding, which emphasizes the urgent need for early intervention, will be presented at the upcoming American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting in San Diego from April 5 to 9, 2025.
The research indicates that changes in brain structure, identified through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been observed in patients suffering from sleep apnea. Specifically, these alterations affect both gray and white matter and may be associated with the substantia nigra, a critical area linked to Parkinson’s disease. However, further investigation is required to establish the precise relationship between these MRI changes and the onset of Parkinson’s.
A large-scale study involving veterans revealed compelling evidence regarding the timing of CPAP treatment. Veterans who began CPAP therapy within two years of their sleep apnea diagnosis had significantly fewer cases of Parkinson’s compared to those who delayed treatment or did not use CPAP at all. In fact, the Parkinson’s disease rates for individuals who started CPAP treatment more than two years after their diagnosis were 9.5 per 1,000 people, nearly identical to the 9 cases per 1,000 people reported for those who never used CPAP.
Dr. Michael Thorpy, a professor of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore, emphasized the significance of these findings. He stated, “This study adds to the evidence that sleep apnea is a major risk factor for many medical and neurological disorders and that early treatment may mitigate the development of these disorders. This reinforces the importance of early recognition and treatment of sleep apnea.”
Dr. Daniel Truong, a neurologist and medical director of the Truong Neuroscience Institute at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, echoed these sentiments, stating, “This study provides compelling evidence regarding the association between obstructive sleep apnea and Parkinson’s disease, highlighting the potential of CPAP therapy to mitigate this risk when initiated early.” He further noted that while MRI changes in both gray and white matter are evident in sleep apnea patients, more research is needed to determine their exact connection to the substantia nigra.
Thorpy also remarked on the broader implications of sleep apnea, stating, “Sleep apnea is a disorder that is associated with severe medical consequences including cerebral hypoxemia, cognitive, cardiovascular and metabolic disturbances.” This emphasizes the critical need for timely intervention in patients diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Leave a Reply