Sleep Apnea Erodes Memory Over Time

Forget where you left your keys? Struggling to stay focused at work? While it’s easy to blame stress or a busy lifestyle, the real issue might be happening while you sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that causes your airway to repeatedly collapse during the night.¹ This leads to brief moments where you stop breathing—sometimes hundreds of times. You may not even realise it’s happening. But your brain does.

A recent study with over 4,000 people found that people with sleep apnea symptoms were 50% more likely to experience memory and thinking problems than those without the condition.² That’s not just forgetfulness—it’s a warning sign.

Why is sleep so important for memory? While we sleep, the brain works hard to store what we’ve learned, organise memories, and flush out waste.³ This "clean-up" process happens thanks to the glymphatic system, which clears out harmful proteins like beta-amyloid—known to build up in Alzheimer’s disease.³ But when sleep is fragmented, this vital repair work can’t happen properly.

Sleep apnea interrupts deep, restorative sleep and causes drops in oxygen levels—known as hypoxia. It’s a double blow. Over time, these disruptions affect the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex—key areas of the brain responsible for memory, learning, and decision-making.¹

More than 85% of people with clinically significant sleep apnea have never been diagnosed.² And without treatment, sleep apnea can lead to chronic fatigue, attention issues, and even an increased risk of dementia.⁴ Research shows that repeated drops in oxygen and disrupted sleep can cause physical changes in the brain, accelerating the buildup of harmful proteins like beta-amyloid—one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.³

But there’s good news. OSA is highly treatable. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy involves a bedside machine which gently blows air through a mask to keep your airway open, eliminating symptoms.³

If you’re always tired despite “getting enough sleep,” or if you snore, gasp, or feel foggy during the day—don’t ignore it. What if a better night’s sleep could protect your brain?

Talk to your doctor about a sleep study. Catching sleep apnea early doesn’t just restore your energy—it could safeguard your memory, clarity, and long-term health.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

1. Wallace, Anna, and Romola S. Bucks. “Memory and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-Analysis.” SLEEP, 1 Feb. 2013, https://doi.org/10.5665/sleep.2374.
2. “Brain Health and Sleep: The Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.” Www.medicalnewstoday.com, 12 May 2023, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-obstructive-sleep-apnea-negatively-impact-brain-health.
3. “Treating Sleep Apnoea Can Improve Memory.” Woolcock.org.au, 2022, www.woolcock.org.au/news/treating-sleep-apnoea-can-improve-memory-in-people-with-cognitive-decline. Accessed 19 June 2025.
4. Guay-Gagnon, Martin, et al. “Sleep Apnea and the Risk of Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Sleep Research, vol. 31, no. 5, 1 Oct. 2022, p. e13589, https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13589.