Lowest price guarantee
Free shipping Australia wide on orders over $100
Bulk Billed Sleep Studies Available - Find Out More
Call Us
1300 76 29 39
Find a Clinic
74 Locations

Is Sleep Apnea a Hidden Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s?

June 2, 2025

We all know how important sleep is for feeling fresh, focused, and ready to face the day. But what if poor sleep could do more than just leave you feeling tired? What if it played a hidden role in something as serious as Alzheimer’s disease?

This June, during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, it’s especially important to spotlight the growing body of research linking sleep health to brain health.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that gradually steals memory, thinking skills, and independence. It’s the most common cause of dementia and affects millions of people around the world.1

Research is increasingly pointing to a link between Alzheimer’s disease and another common condition—obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).1 OSA is a sleep disorder where the airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing to repeatedly stop and start, leading to poor quality sleep and low oxygen levels.2

OSA may increase the risk of cognitive decline and/or Alzheimer’s twofold.3 Studies also suggest that people with Alzheimer’s are five times more likely to have OSA compared to those without cognitive impairment.1 In fact, around half of those living with Alzheimer’s have experienced sleep apnea at some point after diagnosis.1 That’s a staggering overlap—and one that can’t be ignored.

So, what might be going on here? Scientists believe the interrupted sleep, repeated episodes of low oxygen, and changes in brain blood flow and chemical balance could all play a role in triggering or accelerating the neurodegenerative processes seen in Alzheimer’s.1

Animal studies even show that sleep apnea can increase concentrations of amyloid protein – a protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease.4 And the cardiovascular and metabolic complications often seen in people with OSA—like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes—can also increase the risk of dementia.5

But it’s not all bad news. The good news is that OSA is treatable—and the gold standard is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy.6 CPAP therapy involves a bedside machine that gently blows air through a mask to keep your airway open throughout the night.

While more research is needed to fully understand the connection, one thing is clear: good sleep isn’t just about feeling rested—it’s about protecting your brain, too.

If you or someone you love is experiencing loud snoring, choking or gasping in sleep, frequent awakenings, or daytime fatigue and brain fog, it’s worth having a conversation with your doctor. Addressing sleep apnea early could be one of the most powerful tools we have in supporting long-term brain health. Don’t sleep on it—your future self may thank you.

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. Emamian, Farnoosh, et al. “The Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis Perspective.” Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, vol. 8, 12 Apr. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4828426/, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2016.00078.
  2. Ho, Matthew L., and Steven D. Brass. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea.” Neurology International, vol. 3, no. 3, 2 Dec. 2011, p. 15, https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2011.e15.
  3. Andrade, Andreia, et al. “The Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer’s Disease.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vol. 64, no. Suppl 1, 2018, pp. S255–S270, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6542637/, https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-179936.
  4. Przybylska-Kuć, Sylwia, et al. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea May Increase the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.” PLOS ONE, vol. 14, no. 9, 5 Sept. 2019, p. e0221255, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221255.
  5. Bliwise, Donald L. “Alzheimer’s Disease, Sleep Apnea, and Positive Pressure Therapy.” Current Treatment Options in Neurology, vol. 15, no. 6, 8 Nov. 2013, pp. 669–676, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-013-0262-5.
  6. Cao, Michelle T., et al. “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Benefits and Alternatives.” Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, vol. 11, no. 4, 17 Mar. 2017, pp. 259–272, https://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2017.1305893.