Brain Damage Can Occur in Sleep Apnea Patients: The Good News Is It's Usually Reversible

Sleep apnea can carry dangerous health consequences if not properly treated. Now, researchers at the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project have found that in more severe cases, brain damage can occur. However, the good news is that most of the time, it is reversible.

"Structural neural injury of the brain of obstructive sleep apnea patients is reversible with effective treatment," said principal investigator and lead study author Vincenza Castronovo, PhD, clinical psychologist at the Sleep Disorders Center at San Raffaele Hospital and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milano, Italy, in a news release. "Treatment with CPAP, if patients are adherent to therapy, is effective for normalizing the brain structure."

Findings revealed that participants with severe, untreated sleep apnea had a significant reduction in white matter fiber integrity in multiple areas of the organ, causing impairments to cognition, mood and daytime alertness. However, three months of CPAP therapy showed limited improvements to damaged areas. Furthermore, 12 months of CPAP therapy led to complete recovery for most.

"Obstructive sleep apnea is a destructive disease that can ruin your health and increase your risk of death," added American Academy of Sleep Medicine President Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler, a national spokesperson for the Healthy Sleep Project. "Treatment of sleep apnea can be life-changing and potentially life-saving."

As close to 25 million adults in the U.S. currently deal with this health issue, many chose to ignore symptoms that could end their life-including excessive snoring, gasping for breath during sleep or silent pauses, and even chocking while sleeping.

The findings involved 17 men with severe, untreated obstructive sleep apnea, who were an average of 43 years. All participants were evaluated at baseline and after both three months and 12 months of treatment with CPAP therapy. Each time they underwent a neurophyschological evaluation and a diffusion tensor imaging examination to measure the flow of water through brain tissue. Next, they were compared with 15 age-matched, healthy controls who were evaluated only at baseline.

This and previous research provides similar ideas into brain damage and essential therapy for sleep apnea patients. According to the authors, prior research also shows that white matter in the brain may take longer to respond to some treatments than grey matter.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Sleep.