Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer’s: A Hidden Link September 16, 2025 Most of us think of sleep as a time for rest and recovery, but science is revealing just how vital it is for long-term brain health. In fact, the way you breathe—or don’t breathe—at night could influence your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The Overlooked Condition Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 1 in 5 Australians, yet around 80% of cases go undiagnosed.1,2 OSA occurs when the upper airway collapses repeatedly during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start.1 These interruptions often lead to loud snoring, restless nights, and excessive tiredness during the day.1 But the risks run deeper than fatigue. Untreated OSA has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and an increased likelihood of cognitive decline and dementia.3,4 How Sleep Apnea Affects the Brain When breathing pauses, oxygen levels in the blood drop. This starves brain cells of oxygen and triggers cycles of stress throughout the body. The brain is also jolted awake multiple times each night, leading to fragmented, poor-quality sleep. Over time, this disruption can interfere with critical processes like memory consolidation and the brain’s “clean-up system,” which normally clears out harmful proteins during deep sleep.5 Those proteins—amyloid beta and tau—are the same culprits that build up in Alzheimer’s disease.5 OSA has also been shown to increase inflammatory markers and neuronal degeneration in key areas.5 Studies show that people with sleep problems have up to 3.8 times the risk of preclinical Alzheimer’s compared to good sleepers.4 Preclinical Alzheimer’s refers to the very earliest stage of the disease, where changes are happening in the brain – such as the build-up of toxic proteins – but no memory problems or symptoms are noticeable yet. In fact, people with OSA face about double the risk of cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s compared to those without it.4 A Two-Way Street The link between OSA and Alzheimer’s seems to go both ways. Research has found that Alzheimer’s patients are five times more likely to have OSA than their peers, and about half of all people with Alzheimer’s also experience sleep apnea.4 This suggests that untreated OSA may not only increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s but also worsen symptoms once the disease begins. The Good News: Treatment Works The most effective treatment for OSA is CPAP therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). This bedside device gently delivers air through a mask, keeping the airway open and eliminating symptoms.6 And getting diagnosed is easier than many people think. With an at-home sleep study, you simply attend a quick 20-minute appointment at one of our nationwide clinics to collect the device, sleep in your own bed as usual, and return it the next day. The results can determine whether OSA is affecting your health—and what can be done about it. The Takeaway Sleep apnea is far more than an inconvenience. By disrupting oxygen supply and damaging the brain’s overnight cleaning system, OSA can silently raise the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The silver lining is that treatment is highly effective and readily available. If you or a loved one snores heavily, feels constantly tired, or notices pauses in breathing during sleep, speak to your doctor about getting tested. Identifying and treating sleep apnea may not just protect your heart and energy levels—it could help safeguard your memory and brain for the future. 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 Soenen, Stijn, et al. “Sleep Health Primary Care Clinical Resource.” Australian Journal of General Practice, vol. 53, no. 6, 1 June 2024, pp. 349–355, https://doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-03-23-6779. “80% of People with Sleep Apnoea Are Undiagnosed. Here’s How to Tell If You Have It.” Sciencefocus.com, 2024, www.sciencefocus.com/science/sleep-apnea-beat. Mitra, Amal K., et al. “Association and Risk Factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review.” Diseases, vol. 9, no. 4, 2 Dec. 2021, p. 88, https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases9040088. Andrade, Andreia, et al. “The Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer’s Disease.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease : JAD, vol. 64, no. Suppl 1, 2018, pp. S255–S270, https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-179936. Qian, Lei, et al. “Cholinergic Basal Forebrain Degeneration due to Sleep-Disordered Breathing Exacerbates Pathology in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease.” Nature Communications, vol. 13, no. 1, 2 Nov. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-33624-y. Katella, Kathy. “7 Things to Know about Sleep Apnea and CPAP.” Yale Medicine, 18 Apr. 2022, www.yalemedicine.org/news/sleep-apnea-cpap.
