Association of sleep disordered breathing and cognitive deficit in APOE ε4 carriers

Sleep Disordered Breathing and Neurocognitive Disorders

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), which includes conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA), is an independent risk factor for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias, and other cardiovascular disorders. The influence of OSA on brain structure and cognitive function has become an essential focus in the heart-brain axis, given its potential role in developing neurocognitive abnormalities. In this review, we found that OSA plays a significant role in the cardio-neural pathway that leads to the development of cerebral small vessel disease and neurocognitive decline. Although data is still limited on this topic, understanding the critical role of OSA in the heart-brain axis could lead to the utilization of imaging modalities to simultaneously identify early signs of pathology in both organ systems based on the known OSA-driven pathological pathways that result in a disease state in both the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. This narrative review aims to summarize the current link between OSA and neurocognitive disorders, cardio-neural pathophysiology, and the treatment options available for patients with OSA-related neurocognitive disorders.

Sex and APOE genotype influence respiratory function under hypoxic and hypoxic-hypercapnic conditions

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has been studied due to its influence on Alzheimer's disease (AD) development and work in an APOE mouse model recently demonstrated impaired respiratory motor plasticity following spinal cord injury (SCI). Individuals with AD often copresent with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) characterized by cessations in breathing during sleep. Despite the prominence of APOE genotype and sex as factors in AD progression, little is known about the impact of these variables on respiratory control. Ventilation is tightly regulated across many systems, with respiratory rhythm formation occurring in the brainstem but modulated in response to chemoreception. Alterations within these modulatory systems may result in disruptions of appropriate respiratory control and ultimately, disease. Using mice expressing two different humanized APOE alleles, we characterized how sex and the presence of APOE3 or APOE4 influences ventilation during baseline breathing (normoxia) and during respiratory challenges. We show that sex and APOE genotype influence breathing during hypoxic challenge, which may have clinical implications in the context of AD and OSA. In addition, female mice, while responding robustly to hypoxia, were unable to recover to baseline respiratory levels, emphasizing sex differences in disordered breathing.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to use whole body plethysmography (WBP) to measure the impact of APOE alleles on breathing under normoxia and during adverse respiratory challenges in a targeted replacement Alzheimer's model. Both sex and genotype were shown to affect breathing under normoxia, hypoxic challenge, and hypoxic-hypercapnic challenge. This work has important implications regarding the impact of genetics on respiratory control as well as applications pertaining to conditions of disordered breathing including sleep apnea and neurotrauma.

The Association of Upper Airway Anatomy with Brain Structure: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Sleep apnea, affecting an estimated 1 in 4 American adults, has been reported to be associated with both brain structural abnormality and impaired cognitive function. Obstructive sleep apnea is known to be affected by upper airway anatomy. To better understand the contribution of upper airway anatomy to pathways linking sleep apnea with impaired cognitive function, we investigated the association of upper airway anatomy with structural brain abnormalities. Based in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, a longitudinal cohort study of community-dwelling adults, a comprehensive sleep study and an MRI of the upper airway and brain were performed on 578 participants. Machine learning models were used to select from 74 upper airway measures those measures most associated with selected regional brain volumes and white matter hyperintensity volume. Linear regression assessed associations between the selected upper airway measures, sleep measures, and brain structure. Maxillary divergence was positively associated with hippocampus volume, and mandible length was negatively associated with total white and gray matter volume. Both coefficients were small (coefficients per standard deviation 0.063 mL, p = 0.04, and - 7.0 mL, p < 0.001 respectively), and not affected by adjustment for sleep study measures. Self-reported snoring >2 times per week was associated with larger hippocampus volume (coefficient 0.164 mL, p = 0.007), and higher percentage of time in the N3 sleep stage was associated with larger total white and gray matter volume (4.8 mL, p = 0.004). Despite associations of two upper airway anatomy measures with brain volume, the evidence did not suggest that these upper airway and brain structure associations were acting primarily through the pathway of sleep disturbance.

Older adults at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease show stronger associations between sleep apnea severity in REM sleep and verbal memory

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). While the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, hypoxemia during OSA has been implicated in cognitive impairment. OSA during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is usually more severe than in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, but the relative effect of oxyhemoglobin desaturation during REM versus NREM sleep on memory is not completely characterized. Here, we examined the impact of OSA, as well as the moderating effects of AD risk factors, on verbal memory in a sample of middle-aged and older adults with heightened AD risk.

METHODS

Eighty-one adults (mean age:61.7 ± 6.0 years, 62% females, 32% apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE4) carriers, and 70% with parental history of AD) underwent clinical polysomnography including assessment of OSA. OSA features were derived in total, NREM, and REM sleep. REM-NREM ratios of OSA features were also calculated. Verbal memory was assessed with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Multiple regression models evaluated the relationships between OSA features and RAVLT scores while adjusting for sex, age, time between assessments, education years, body mass index (BMI), and APOE4 status or parental history of AD. The significant main effects of OSA features on RAVLT performance and the moderating effects of AD risk factors (i.e., sex, age, APOE4 status, and parental history of AD) were examined.

RESULTS

Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and oxyhemoglobin desaturation index (ODI) during REM sleep were negatively associated with RAVLT total learning and long-delay recall. Further, greater REM-NREM ratios of AHI, RDI, and ODI (i.e., more events in REM than NREM) were related to worse total learning and recall. We found specifically that the negative association between REM ODI and total learning was driven by adults 60 + years old. In addition, the negative relationships between REM-NREM ODI ratio and total learning, and REM-NREM RDI ratio and long-delay recall were driven by APOE4 carriers.

CONCLUSION

Greater OSA severity, particularly during REM sleep, negatively affects verbal memory, especially for people with greater AD risk. These findings underscore the potential importance of proactive screening and treatment of REM OSA even if overall AHI appears low.

Obstructive sleep apnea and cognitive functioning in the older general population: The moderating effect of age, sex, ApoE4, and obesity

Research on the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and cognitive functioning has yielded conflicting results, particularly in the older population, and moderators of this association have rarely been studied. Here we investigated the cross-sectional association between obstructive sleep apnea and cognitive functioning as well as the moderating effect of age, sex, apolipoprotein E4, and obesity on this association among community-dwelling older people. We analysed data from 496 participants (71.4 ± 4.4 years; 45.6% men) of the HypnoLaus study who underwent polysomnography and a battery of neuropsychological tests. The sample was categorised as no-to-mild obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index 0-14.9/h; reference), moderate obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index 15.0-29.9/h), or severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index ≥30/h). Regression and moderation analyses were performed with adjustment for confounders. Apolipoprotein E4 and obesity moderated the association between severe obstructive sleep apnea and processing speed, whereas no moderating effects were found for age and sex. In apolipoprotein E4 carriers only, severe obstructive sleep apnea was associated with lower performance in Stroop condition 1 (B = 3.13, p = 0.024). In obese participants only, severe obstructive sleep apnea was associated with lower performance in Stroop condition 1 (B = 3.02, p = 0.025) and Stroop condition 2 (B = 3.30, p = 0.034). Severe obstructive sleep apnea was also associated with lower executive function in the whole sample according to Stroop condition 3 (B = 3.44, p = 0.020) and Stroop interference score (B = 0.24, p = 0.006). Our findings support associations of severe obstructive sleep apnea (but not moderate obstructive sleep apnea) with lower performance in processing speed and executive function in the older general population. Apolipoprotein E4 and obesity appear to be vulnerability factors that strengthen the association between severe obstructive sleep apnea and lower performance in processing speed.

The Relation of Sleep Characteristics and Cognitive Impairment in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA)

Introduction

The rise in the elderly population has brought attention to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Sleep disorders also affect many older adults, indicating an important area of research for disturbed sleep and faster brain aging. This population-based study aimed to investigate the association of several sleep indicators with cognitive performance.

Methods

This cross-sectional study focused on adults over 50 in the Ardakan Cohort Study on Aging (ACSA). MCI was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Abbreviated Mental Test score (AMTS) in literate and illiterate individuals. Sleep characteristics were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Berlin questionnaire. The logistic regression models were used to analyze the data.

Results

Overall, 3,380 literate and 1,558 illiterate individuals were included. In both groups, participants with MCI had a significantly higher PSQI global score (p < 0.05). Also, among the literate individuals, a significantly higher risk of having sleep-disordered breathing and poor sleep quality was observed in participants with MCI (p < 0.05). In illiterate individuals, higher sleep latency than 15 min increased odds of MCI (p < 0.05). However, after adjusting for all variables, only literate individuals with a sleep duration of more than 8 h had 66 percent increased odds of having MCI (p = 0.033).

Conclusion

Sleep duration might be associated with cognitive function in the older Iranian population. Our findings underscore the importance of considering sleep patterns in relation to cognitive health.

Older adults at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease show stronger associations between sleep apnea severity and verbal memory

Background

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). While the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, hypoxemia during OSA has been implicated in cognitive impairment. OSA during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is usually more severe than in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, but the relative effect of oxyhemoglobin desaturation during REM versus NREM sleep on memory is not completely characterized. Here, we examined the impact of OSA, as well as the moderating effects of AD risk factors, on verbal memory in a sample of middle-aged and older adults with heightened AD risk.

Methods

Eighty-one adults (mean age:61.7±6.0 years, 62% females, 32% apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (APOE4) carriers, and 70% with parental history of AD) underwent clinical polysomnography including assessment of OSA. OSA features were derived in total, NREM, and REM sleep. REM-NREM ratios of OSA features were also calculated. Verbal memory was assessed with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Multiple regression models evaluated the relationships between OSA features and RAVLT scores while adjusting for sex, age, time between assessments, education years, body mass index (BMI), and APOE4 status or parental history of AD. The significant main effects of OSA features on RAVLT performance and the moderating effects of AD risk factors (i.e., sex, age, APOE4 status, and parental history of AD) were examined.

Results

Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and oxyhemoglobin desaturation index (ODI) during REM sleep were negatively associated with RAVLT total learning and long-delay recall. Further, greater REM-NREM ratios of AHI, RDI, and ODI (i.e., more events in REM than NREM) were related to worse total learning and recall. We found specifically that the negative association between REM ODI and total learning was driven by adults 60+ years old. In addition, the negative relationships between REM-NREM ODI ratio and total learning and REM-NREM RDI ratio and long-delay recall were driven by APOE4 carriers.

Conclusion

Greater OSA severity, particularly during REM sleep, negatively affects verbal memory, especially for people with greater AD risk. These findings underscore the potential importance of proactive screening and treatment of REM OSA even if overall AHI appears low.

The association of upper airway anatomy with cognitive test performance: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Numerous upper airway anatomy characteristics are risk factors for sleep apnea, which affects 26% of older Americans, and more severe sleep apnea is associated with cognitive impairment. This study explores the pathophysiology and links between upper airway anatomy, sleep, and cognition.

METHODS

Participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis underwent an upper airway MRI, polysomnography to assess sleep measures including the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and completed the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI). Two model selection techniques selected from among 67 upper airway measures those that are most strongly associated with CASI score. The associations of selected upper airway measures with AHI, AHI with CASI score, and selected upper airway anatomy measures with CASI score, both alone and after adjustment for AHI, were assessed using linear regression.

RESULTS

Soft palate volume, maxillary divergence, and upper facial height were significantly positively associated with higher CASI score, indicating better cognition. The coefficients were small, with a 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in these variables being associated with a 0.83, 0.75, and 0.70 point higher CASI score, respectively. Additional adjustment for AHI very slightly attenuated these associations. Larger soft palate volume was significantly associated with higher AHI (15% higher AHI (95% CI 2%,28%) per SD). Higher AHI was marginally associated with higher CASI score (0.43 (95% CI 0.01,0.85) per AHI doubling).

CONCLUSIONS

Three upper airway measures were weakly but significantly associated with higher global cognitive test performance. Sleep apnea did not appear to be the mechanism through which these upper airway and cognition associations were acting. Further research on the selected upper airway measures is recommended.

Sleepiness in neurological disorders

Sleepiness is a frequent and underrecognized symptom in neurological disorders, that impacts functional outcomes and quality of life. Multiple and potentially additive factors might contribute to sleepiness in neurological disorders, including sleep quality alterations, circadian rhythm disorders, drugs, and sleep disorders including sleep apnea or central disorders of hypersomnolence. Physician awareness of the possible symptoms of hypersomnolence, and associated causes is of crucial importance to allow proper identification and treatment of underlying causes. This review first provides a brief overview on clinical aspects of excessive daytime sleepiness, and diagnosis tools, then examines its frequency and mechanisms in various neurological disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune encephalitis, epilepsy, and stroke.

Impact of PTSD and Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Cognition in Older Adult Veterans

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are highly prevalent and comorbid among older adult male veterans. Both PTSD and OSA are independently associated with cognitive deficits in older adults, but little research regarding the impact of comorbid PTSD and OSA among older adults exists. Purpose: The current study aimed to examine the independent and interactive effects of PTSD and OSA on cognitive functioning in older adult veterans. Study Sample: Older adult male veterans with (n = 106) and without PTSD (n = 69), ranging in age from 55 to 89 (M = 63.35). Data Collection: Participants underwent polysomnography evaluation to assess severity of OSA symptoms and comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation to assess cognitive functioning in 3 domains: attention and processing speed, learning and memory, and executive functioning. Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that the interaction between PTSD and OSA did not predict cognitive performance. However, PTSD significantly predicted poorer attention and processing speed, and increased OSA severity predicted poorer learning and memory. Conclusions: While PTSD and OSA did not have a synergistic detrimental impact on cognition, each independently predicted poorer cognitive functioning within certain domains, suggesting that older adults with these comorbid conditions may experience a wider array of cognitive difficulties.

OSA-Onset: An algorithm for predicting the age of OSA onset

STUDY OBJECTIVES

There is currently no way to estimate the period of time a person has had obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Such information would allow identification of people who have had an extended exposure period and are therefore at greater risk of other medical disorders; and enable consideration of disease chronicity in the study of OSA pathogenesis/treatment.

METHOD

The 'age of OSA Onset' algorithm was developed in the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort (WSC), in participants who had ≥2 sleep studies and not using continuous positive airway pressure (n = 696). The algorithm was tested in a participant subset from the WSC (n = 154) and the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS; n = 705), those with an initial sleep study showing no significant OSA (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) < 15 events/hr) and later sleep study showing moderate to severe OSA (AHI≥15 events/hr).

RESULTS

Regression analyses were performed to identify variables that predicted change in AHI over time (BMI, sex, and AHI; beta weights and intercept used in the algorithm). In the WSC and SHHS subsamples, the observed years with OSA was 3.6 ± 2.6 and 2.7 ± 0.6 years, the algorithm estimated years with OSA was 10.6 ± 8.2 and 9.0 ± 6.2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The OSA-Onset algorithm estimated years of exposure to OSA with an accuracy of between 6.6 and 7.8 years (mean absolute error). Future studies are needed to determine whether the years of exposure derived from the OSA-Onset algorithm is related to worse prognosis, poorer cognitive outcomes, and/or poorer response to treatment.

Distinct cognitive changes in male patients with obstructive sleep apnoea without co-morbidities

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a multisystem, debilitating, chronic disorder of breathing during sleep, resulting in a relatively consistent pattern of cognitive deficits. More recently, it has been argued that those cognitive deficits, especially in middle-aged patients, may be driven by cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities, rather than by distinct OSA-processes, such as are for example ensuing nocturnal intermittent hypoxaemia, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and sleep fragmentation.

Methods

Thus, we undertook to define cognitive performance in a group of 27 middle-aged male patients with untreated OSA, who had no concomitant comorbidities, compared with seven matched controls (AHI mean ± S.D.: 1.9 ± 1.4 events/h; mean age 34.0 ± 9.3 years; mean BMI 23.8 ± 2.3 kg/m2). Of the 27 patients, 16 had mild OSA (AHI mean ± S.D.:11.7 ± 4.0 events/h; mean age 42.6 ± 8.2 years; mean BMI 26.7 ± 4.1 kg/m2), and 11 severe OSA (AHI 41.8 ± 20.7 events/h; age: 46.9 ± 10.9 years, BMI: 28.0 ± 3.2 kg/m2).

Results

In our patient cohort, we demonstrate poorer executive-functioning, visuospatial memory, and deficits in vigilance sustained attention, psychomotor and impulse control. Remarkably, we also report, for the first time, effects on social cognition in this group of male, middle-aged OSA patients.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that distinct, OSA-driven processes may be sufficient for cognitive changes to occur as early as in middle age, in otherwise healthy individuals.

Associations Between Amyloid Burden, Hypoxemia, Sleep Architecture, and Cognition in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of amyloid-β (Aβ) burden, the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive decline.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the differential impacts of hypoxemia and slow-wave sleep disruption on brain amyloid burden, and to explore the effects of hypoxemia, slow-wave sleep disruption, and amyloid burden on cognition in individuals with and without OSA.

METHODS

Thirty-four individuals with confirmed OSA (mean±SD age 57.5±4.1 years; 19 males) and 12 healthy controls (58.5±4.2 years; 6 males) underwent a clinical polysomnogram, a NAV4694 positron emission tomography (PET) scan for Aβ burden, assessment of APOEɛ status and cognitive assessments. Linear hierarchical regressions were conducted to determine the contributions of demographic and sleep variables on amyloid burden and cognition.

RESULTS

Aβ burden was associated with nocturnal hypoxemia, and impaired verbal episodic memory, autobiographical memory and set shifting. Hypoxemia was correlated with impaired autobiographical memory, and only set shifting performance remained significantly associated with Aβ burden when controlling for sleep variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Nocturnal hypoxemia was related to brain Aβ burden in this sample of OSA participants. Aβ burden and hypoxemia had differential impacts on cognition. This study reveals aspects of sleep disturbance in OSA that are most strongly associated with brain Aβ burden and poor cognition, which are markers of early Alzheimer's disease. These findings add weight to the possibility that hypoxemia may be causally related to the development of dementia; however, whether it may be a therapeutic target for dementia prevention in OSA is yet to be determined.

Interactions between the apolipoprotein E4 gene and modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment: a nationally representative panel study

BACKGROUND

Few studies using rigorous clinical diagnosis have considered whether associations with cognitive decline are potentiated by interactions between genetic and modifiable risk factors. Given the increasing burden of cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia, we assessed whether Apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) genotype status modifies the association between incident CI and key modifiable risk factors .

METHODS

Older adults (70+) in the US were included. APOE4 status was genotyped. Risk factors for CI were self-reported. Cognitive status (normal, CI, or dementia) was assigned by clinical consensus panel. In eight separate Cox proportional hazard models, we assessed for interactions between APOE4 status and other CI risk factors.

RESULT

The analytical sample included 181 participants (mean age 77.7 years; 45.9% male). APOE4 was independently associated with a greater hazard of CI in each model (Hazard Ratios [HR] between 1.81-2.66, p < 0.05) except the model evaluating educational attainment (HR 1.65, p = 0.40). The joint effects of APOE4 and high school education or less (HR 2.25, 95% CI: 1.40-3.60, p < 0.001), hypertension (HR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.28-4.73, p = 0.007), elevated depressive symptoms (HR 5.09, 95% CI: 2.59-10.02, p < 0.001), hearing loss (HR 3.44, 95% CI: 1.87-6.33, p < 0.0001), vision impairment (HR 5.14, 95% CI: 2.31-11.43, p < 0.001), smoking (HR 2.35, 95% CI: 1.24-4.47, p = 0.009), or obesity (HR 3.80, 95% CI: 2.11-6.85, p < 0.001) were associated with the hazard of incident CIND (compared to no genetic or modifiable risk factor) in separate models. The joint effect of Apolipoprotein ε4 and type 2 diabetes was not associated with CIND (HR 1.58, 95% CI: 0.67-2.48, p = 0.44).

DISCUSSION

The combination of APOE4 and selected modifiable risk factors conveys a stronger association with incident CI than either type of risk factor alone.

Interaction between apolipoprotein E genotypes, excessive daytime sleepiness, and cognitive function in obstructive sleep apnea patients

BACKGROUND

Some studies show an association between the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (ApoEε4) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and other studies, an association between ApoEε4 and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), but there are no data in the literature on the interaction between EDS, cognitive function, and ApoEε4 in patients with OSA.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the cognitive function of adults with and without EDS and with and without ApoEε4.

METHODS

A total of 21 male and female patients aged between 33 and 79 years, underwent a clinical interview, ApoE genotyping, neuropsychological evaluation, polysomnography, and the application of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

RESULTS

Excessive daytime sleepiness was associated with lower intelligence quotient (IQ; total performance) and worse immediate visual memory, regardless of the ApoE genotype. Patients carrying the ApoEε3/ε4 genotype had a worse performance in divided attention, constructional praxis, perceptual organization, and cognitive flexibility. A combination of the ε4 allele and EDS potentiates the negative effect on cognition, except for immediate visual memory. In this case, patients had a worse performance in terms of processing speed, selective attention, and visuomotor coordination.

CONCLUSIONS

Excessive daytime sleepiness and the ApoEε3/ε4 genotype are associated with worse cognitive performance in OSA patients. The combination of EDS and ε4 allele potentiates cognitive impairment.

The Association Between Cognition of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients and Urinary AD7c-NTP Level: Investigation and Application

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a multi-component disorder, which has many comorbidities, including cognitive impairment. Although its potential risk factors were unknown, they could affect the patient’s quality of life and long-term prognosis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the application of urinary Alzheimer’s disease-associated neurofilament protein (AD7c-NTP) levels in the assessment of cognitive impairment in OSA patients, and to analyze the predictive value of potential high-risk factors on cognitive impairment in OSA patients. Methods: 138 young and middle-aged adults were recruited and underwent overnight polysomnographic recording, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and urinary AD7c-NTP test. AD7c-NTP and other factors were further applied as biomarkers to develop a cognition risk prediction model. Results: Compared with the control, OSA patients showed significantly lower MoCA scores and higher urinary AD7c-NTP concentrations, while the severe OSA group appeared more significant. The urinary AD7c-NTP level of the OSA cognitive impairment group was higher than that of the non-cognitive impairment group. The results of regression analysis showed that urinary AD7c-NTP level was an independent predictor of cognitive impairment in OSA patients. Based on urinary AD7c-NTP levels and other selected factors, a multimodal prediction model for assessing the risk of cognitive impairment in OSA patients was initially established. Conclusion: The increased urinary AD7c-NTP level could be used as a relevant peripheral biomarker of cognitive impairment in OSA patients. A model using urinary AD7c-NTP combined with other factors was developed and could accurately assess the cognition risk of OSA patients.

Insomnia symptom severity and cognitive performance: Moderating role of APOE genotype

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated whether insomnia symptom severity was associated with cognitive function, and whether this relationship was modified by biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease risk.

METHODS

We examined insomnia symptoms and neuropsychological performance 3.4 years later in 511 dementia-free Framingham Heart Study participants (62.65 ± 8.7 years, 50.9% male). Additionally, we explored insomnia symptoms combined with self-reported short habitual sleep duration and effect modification by apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele status.

RESULTS

More severe insomnia symptoms were associated with lower performance on global cognition, and immediate and delayed Logical Memory recall, especially when insomnia symptoms were combined with short sleep duration. The association between insomnia symptoms and poorer memory recall was more pronounced in APOE ε4 allele carriers.

DISCUSSION

Insomnia symptom severity was associated with worse subsequent global cognitive and memory performance, which was especially apparent in APOE ε4 allele carriers, suggesting that poor sleep might be particularly detrimental when the brain is already vulnerable to neurodegeneration.

Sleep apnoea in the elderly: a great challenge for the future

Due in part to overall improvements in health, the population of elderly individuals is increasing rapidly. Similarly, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is both gaining increased recognition and also increasing due to the worldwide obesity epidemic. The overlap of OSA and aging is large, but there is strong plausibility for causation in both directions: OSA is associated with pathological processes that may accelerate aging and aging related processes; aging may cause physical and neurological changes that predispose to obstructive (and central) apnoea. In addition, the common symptoms (e.g. excessive daytime somnolence, defects in memory and cognition), possible physiological consequences of OSA (e.g. accelerated cardiovascular and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis), and changes in metabolic and inflammatory markers overlap with the symptoms and associated conditions seen in aging. There is also the possibility of synergy in the effects of these symptoms and conditions on quality of life, as well as a need to separate treatable consequences of OSA from age-related complaints. Taken together, the above make it essential to review the interaction of OSA and aging, both proven and suspected. The present review examines some aspects of what is known and points to the need for further investigation of the relationships, given the large number of potentially affected subjects.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cognitive Decline: A Review of Potential Vulnerability and Protective Factors

Around 40% of dementia risk is attributable to modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Recently, sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), have also been considered among these factors. However, despite several epidemiological studies investigating the link between OSA and cognitive decline, there is still no consensus on whether OSA increases the risk of dementia or not. Part of the heterogeneity observed in previous studies might be related to some individual characteristics that modulate the association between OSA and cognitive decline. In this narrative review, we present these individual characteristics, namely, age, sex, menopause, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, depression, air pollution, Apolipoprotein E ε4 allele, physical activity, and cognitive reserve. To date, large cohort studies of OSA and cognitive decline tended to statistically control for the effects of these variables, but whether they interact with OSA to predict cognitive decline remains to be elucidated. Being able to better predict who is at risk of cognitive decline when they have OSA would improve clinical management and treatment decisions, particularly when patients present relatively mild OSA.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Its Treatment in Aging: Effects on Alzheimer's disease Biomarkers, Cognition, Brain Structure and Neurophysiology

Here we review the impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, neuroanatomy, cognition and neurophysiology, and present the research investigating the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. OSA is associated with an increase in AD markers amyloid-β and tau measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and in blood serum. There is some evidence suggesting CPAP therapy normalizes AD biomarkers in CSF but since mechanisms for amyloid-β and tau production/clearance in humans are not completely understood, these findings remain preliminary. Deficits in the cognitive domains of attention, vigilance, memory and executive functioning are observed in OSA patients with the magnitude of impairment appearing stronger in younger people from clinical settings than in older community samples. Cognition improves with varying degrees after CPAP use, with the greatest effect seen for attention in middle age adults with more severe OSA and sleepiness. Paradigms in which encoding and retrieval of information are separated by periods of sleep with or without OSA have been done only rarely, but perhaps offer a better chance to understand cognitive effects of OSA than isolated daytime testing. In cognitively normal individuals, changes in EEG microstructure during sleep, particularly slow oscillations and spindles, are associated with biomarkers of AD, and measures of cognition and memory. Similar changes in EEG activity are reported in AD and OSA, such as "EEG slowing" during wake and REM sleep, and a degradation of NREM EEG microstructure. There is evidence that CPAP therapy partially reverses these changes but large longitudinal studies demonstrating this are lacking. A diagnostic definition of OSA relying solely on the Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) does not assist in understanding the high degree of inter-individual variation in daytime impairments related to OSA or response to CPAP therapy. We conclude by discussing conceptual challenges to a clinical trial of OSA treatment for AD prevention, including inclusion criteria for age, OSA severity, and associated symptoms, the need for a potentially long trial, defining relevant primary outcomes, and which treatments to target to optimize treatment adherence.

Sleep-disordered breathing and the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Sleep-disordered breathing is highly prevalent in the elderly population. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) represents the most common sleep disorder among the adult and elderly population. Recently, OSA diagnosis has been associated with an increased risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia, including vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Subsequently, there have been studies on AD biomarkers investigating cerebrospinal fluid, blood, neuroimaging, and nuclear medicine biomarkers in patients with OSA. Furthermore, studies have attempted to assess the possible effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on the cognitive trajectory and AD biomarkers in patients with OSA. This review summarizes the findings of studies on each AD biomarker (cognitive, biofluid, neuroimaging, and nuclear medicine imaging) in patients with OSA, also accounting for the related effects of CPAP treatment. In addition, the hypothetical model connecting OSA to AD in a bi-directional interplay is analyzed. Finally, the sex-based differences in prevalence and clinical symptoms of OSA between men and women have been investigated in relation to AD risk. Further studies investigating AD biomarkers changes in patients with OSA and the effect of CPAP treatment should be auspicated in future for identifying strategies to prevent the development of AD.

Alzheimer's Disease in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disorder with high prevalence among adults and is an independent risk factor for various diseases, especially those affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is usually the optimal choice of treatment for OSAS. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting a large proportion of the elderly population. The purpose of this study was to collect information concerning the two pathological entities and investigate the effectiveness of CPAP in the treatment of AD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this review, Twenty articles were found concerning OSAS and AD, of which one article was about treatment with donepezil and seven articles considered treatment with CPAP.

RESULTS

Serious OSAS and short sleep duration are associated with a high risk of developing dementia. Respiratory distress during sleep is associated with developing mild cognitive impairment at younger ages. The cerebrovascular damage of AD patients is correlated with the severity of OSAS. Lower cerebrospinal fluid levels are associated with memory disturbances and oxygen saturation parameters in patients with OSAS-AD. Continuous use of CPAP is related to the delayed onset of cognitive impairment and is suggested as an effective method of protecting cognitive function, depression, sleep quality and architecture, and daytime sleepiness in AD patients with good compliance. Treatment of CPAP patients with OSAS-AD is suggested as an effective method of protecting cognitive function.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians dealing with AD patients should consider CPAP treatment when OSAS coexists.

Obstructive sleep apnea, cognition and Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review integrating three decades of multidisciplinary research

Increasing evidence links cognitive-decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD) to various sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). With increasing age, there are substantial differences in OSA's prevalence, associated comorbidities and phenotypic presentation. An important question for sleep and AD researchers is whether OSA's heterogeneity results in varying cognitive-outcomes in older-adults compared to middle-aged adults. In this review, we systematically integrated research examining OSA and cognition, mild cognitive-impairment (MCI) and AD/AD biomarkers; including the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, particularly focusing on characterizing the heterogeneity of OSA and its cognitive-outcomes. Broadly, in middle-aged adults, OSA is often associated with mild impairment in attention, memory and executive function. In older-adults, OSA is not associated with any particular pattern of cognitive-impairment at cross-section; however, OSA is associated with the development of MCI or AD with symptomatic patients who have a higher likelihood of associated disturbed sleep/cognitive-impairment driving these findings. CPAP treatment may be effective in improving cognition in OSA patients with AD. Recent trends demonstrate links between OSA and AD-biomarkers of neurodegeneration across all age-groups. These distinct patterns provide the foundation for envisioning better characterization of OSA and the need for more sensitive/novel sleep-dependent cognitive assessments to assess OSA-related cognitive-impairment.

Current Perspectives on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in the Ageing Population

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is defined as a prolonged cognitive function impairment that occurs within weeks to months of a surgical procedure. It is especially prevalent in the elderly population, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. As anaesthetic and surgical care continues to improve and become increasingly safer, a significantly greater number of older patients have elective surgical procedures today, yet this comes with an increased POCD risk as they go through the perioperative phases. Although the pathophysiology behind the development of POCD is still under investigation, current causative mechanisms include the mode of anaesthesia administered, anaesthetic used, cerebral hypoperfusion, hyperventilation and neuroinflammation. These findings lend an insight into the importance of being cognisant of the higher likelihood of POCD in at-risk patients, including the elderly, and taking precautions to include preoperative and postoperative cognitive testing, careful monitoring during anaesthesia, blood pressure control and early treatment of postoperative complications as they arise. In this review, we provide an update on the current understanding of the pathophysiology leading to POCD, identifying risk factors, prevention and treatment strategies, with a specific focus on the elderly population.

Associations Between the Apnea-Hypopnea Index During REM and NREM Sleep and Cognitive Functioning in a Cohort of Middle-Aged Adults

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Prior research has linked obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to varied cognitive deficits. Additionally, OSA in rapid eye movement (REM) versus non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep has been shown to be a stronger predictor of outcomes such as hypertension. The present study aimed to investigate whether OSA-as characterized by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)-during REM and NREM sleep is associated with performance on a range of cognitive tasks. We also investigated whether the presence/absence of the apolipoprotein E4 allele (APOE4) modifies the associations between AHI during REM and NREM sleep and cognitive performance.

METHODS

A cross-sectional sample of 1,250 observations from 755 community-dwelling adults (mean [standard deviation] age, 62.3 [8.2] years) participating in the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort study was carried out by means of overnight polysomnography, paper-and-pencil cognitive tasks, and genetic data. Linear mixed effects models with repeated measures estimated associations of AHI during REM and NREM sleep with cognitive outcomes, stratified by APOE4 status (carrier versus noncarrier).

RESULTS

No significant associations were found between REM AHI and cognitive outcomes for either APOE4 carriers and non-carriers. Higher NREM AHI was associated with worse memory retention among APOE4 carriers; among noncarriers of APOE4, higher NREM AHI was associated with worse performance on a test of psychomotor speed, but better performance on two tests of executive function.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep state-specific (REM, NREM) OSA may be differentially associated with varying dimensions of cognitive deficits in middle-aged to older adults, and such associations are likely to be modified by genetic factors, include APOE polymorphisms.

Hypertension and Cognitive Decline: Implications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Hypertension and dementia are highly prevalent in the general population. Hypertension has been shown to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's dementia and vascular dementia. Sleep apnea, another common disorder, is strongly associated with hypertension and recent evidence suggests that it may also be linked with cognitive decline and dementia. It is possible that sleep apnea is the final common pathway linking hypertension to the development of dementia. This hypothesis merits further exploration as sleep apnea is readily treatable and such therapy could foreseeably delay or prevent the onset of dementia. At present, there is a paucity of therapeutic modalities that can prevent or arrest cognitive decline. In this review, we describe the associations between hypertension, dementia and sleep apnea, the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying these associations, and the literature examining the impact of treatment of hypertension and sleep apnea on cognition. Potential areas of future investigation that may help advance our understanding of the magnitude and direction of the interaction between these conditions and the effects of treatment of high blood pressure and sleep apnea on cognition are highlighted.

Sleep and Attention in Alzheimer's Disease

Individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) present with a wide variety of symptoms, including sleep disruption and sleep disorders. Conversely, disordered sleep has been associated with an increased risk of developing AD. Both conditions individually have adverse effects on attention, which can be further divided into selective, sustained, divided, and alternating attention. The neural mechanisms underpinning sleep problems in AD involve the disruption of the circadian system. This review comprehensively discusses the types of attention impairments, the relationship between AD pathology and sleep disruption, and the effect of sleep issues on attention in AD. Recommendations for future research include addressing the lack of consistency among study designs and outcomes, and the need to continue exploring the biology of sleep and attention in AD.

Biomarkers of dementia in obstructive sleep apnea

Epidemiologic and mechanistic evidence is increasingly supporting the notion that obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for dementia. Hence, the identification of patients at risk of cognitive decline due to obstructive sleep apnea may significantly improve preventive strategies and treatment decision-making. Cerebrospinal fluid and blood biomarkers obtained through genomic, proteomic and metabolomic approaches are improving the ability to predict incident dementia. Therefore, fluid biomarkers have the potential to predict vulnerability to neurodegeneration in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, as well as deepen our understanding of pathophysiological processes linking obstructive sleep apnea and dementia. Many fluid biomarkers linked to Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia show abnormal levels in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, suggesting that these conditions share common underlying mechanisms, including amyloid and tau protein neuropathology, inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic disturbances. Markers of these processes include amyloid-β, tau proteins, inflammatory cytokines, acute-phase proteins, antioxydants and oxidized products, homocysteine and clusterin (apolipoprotein J). Thus, these biomarkers may have the ability to identify adults with obstructive sleep apnea at high risk of dementia and provide an opportunity for therapeutic intervention. Large cohort studies are necessary to establish a specific fluid biomarker panel linking obstructive sleep apnea to dementia risk.

Greater Cognitive Deficits with Sleep-disordered Breathing among Individuals with Genetic Susceptibility to Alzheimer Disease. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

RATIONALE

There are conflicting findings regarding the link between sleep apnea and cognitive dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES

Investigate associations between indicators of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and cognitive function in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and assess effect modification by the apolipoprotein ε-4 (APOE-ε4) allele.

METHODS

A diverse population (N = 1,752) underwent type 2 in-home polysomnography, which included measurement of percentage sleep time less than 90% oxyhemoglobin saturation (%Sat < 90%) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (ESS) and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS; AHI ≥ 5 and ESS > 10) were also analyzed. Cognitive outcomes included the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument; Digit Symbol Coding (DSC) test; and Digit Span Tests (DST) Forward and Backward.

RESULTS

Participants were 45.4% men, aged 68.1 years (SD, 9.1 yr) with a median AHI of 9.0 and mean ESS of 6.0. Approximately 9.7% had SAS, and 26.8% had at least one copy of the APOE-ε4 allele. In adjusted analyses, a 1-SD increase in %Sat < 90% and ESS score were associated with a poorer attention and memory assessed by the DST Forward score (β = -0.12 [SE, 0.06] and β = -0.13 [SE, 0.06], respectively; P ≤ 0.05). SAS and higher ESS scores were also associated with poorer attention and processing speed as measured by the DSC (β = -0.69 [SE, 0.35] and β = -1.42 [SE, 0.35], respectively; P < 0.05). The presence of APOE-ε4 allele modified the associations of %Sat < 90% with DST forward and of ESS with DSC (P_interaction ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Overnight hypoxemia and sleepiness were associated with cognition. The average effect estimates were small, similar to effect estimates for several other individual dementia risk factors. Associations were strongest in APOE-ε4 risk allele carriers. Our results (1) suggest that SDB be considered among a group of modifiable dementia risk factors, and (2) highlight the potential vulnerability of APOE-ε4 risk allele carriers with SDB.

Disturbed sleep and diabetes: A potential nexus of dementia risk

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and sleep disturbance (e.g., insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing) are prevalent conditions among older adults that are associated with cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Importantly, disturbed sleep is associated with alterations in insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, and may increase the risk of T2D, and T2D-related complications (e.g., pain, nocturia) can negatively affect sleep. Despite these associations, little is known about how interactions between T2D and sleep disturbance might alter cognitive trajectories or the pathological changes that underlie dementia. Here, we review links among T2D, sleep disturbance, cognitive decline and dementia-including preclinical and clinical AD-and identify gaps in the literature, that if addressed, could have significant implications for the prevention of poor cognitive outcomes.

Neighborhoods, sleep quality, and cognitive decline: Does where you live and how well you sleep matter?

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) and sleep quality on cognitive decline in the Health and Retirement Study.

METHODS

Health and Retirement Study participants (n = 8090), aged 65+ with DNA and multiple biennial cognitive observations (abbreviated Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status), were included. Participants were grouped into quartiles of NSES and sleep quality scores. We adjusted for apolipoprotein E ε4, demographic, and cardiovascular risk factors. Random effects modeling evaluated cognitive change over time.

RESULTS

NSES and sleep were significantly associated with cognitive decline, and there was a significant interaction between them (P = .02). Significant differences between high/low NSES and high/low sleep quality (P < .0001) were found.

DISCUSSION

Sleep and NSES were associated with cognitive decline; the association between sleep and cognition appeared stronger among those with low NSES. The association between low NSES, poor sleep quality, and cognitive decline was roughly equivalent to the association between apolipoprotein E ε4 and cognitive decline.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is Associated With Early but Possibly Modifiable Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers Changes

Study Objectives

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder. The, literature lacks studies examining sleep, cognition, and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in OSA patients. Therefore, we first studied cognitive performances, polysomnographic sleep, and CSF β-amyloid42, tau proteins, and lactate levels in patients affected by subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) divided in three groups: OSA patients (showing an Apnea-Hypopnea Index [AHI] ≥15/hr), controls (showing an AHI < 15/hr), and patients with OSA treated by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Methods

We compared results among 25 OSA, 10 OSA-CPAP, and 15 controls who underwent a protocol counting neuropsychological testing in the morning, 48-hr polysomnography followed by CSF analysis.

Results

OSA patients showed lower CSF Aβ42 concentrations, higher CSF lactate levels, and higher t-tau/Aβ42 ratio compared to controls and OSA-CPAP patients. OSA patients also showed reduced sleep quality and continuity and lower performances at memory, intelligence, and executive tests than controls and OSA-CPAP patients. We found significant relationships among higher CSF tau proteins levels, sleep impairment, and increased CSF lactate levels in the OSA group. Moreover, lower CSF Aβ42 levels correlate with memory impairment and nocturnal oxygen saturation parameters in OSA patients.

Conclusions

We hypothesize that OSA reducing sleep quality and producing intermittent hypoxia lowers CSF Aβ42 levels, increases CSF lactate levels, and alters cognitive performances in SCI patients, thus inducing early AD clinical and neuropathological biomarkers changes. Notably, controls as well as OSA-CPAP SCI patients did not show clinical and biochemical AD markers. Therefore, OSA may induce early but possibly CPAP-modifiable AD biomarkers changes.

Association of Sleep-Disordered Breathing With Cognitive Function and Risk of Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Growing evidence suggests an association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and cognitive decline in elderly persons. However, results from population-based studies have been conflicting, possibly owing to different methods to assess SDB or cognitive domains, making it difficult to draw conclusions on this association.

Objective

To provide a quantitative synthesis of population-based studies on the relationship between SDB and risk of cognitive impairment.

Data Sources

PubMed, EMBASE, and PsychINFO were systematically searched to identify peer-reviewed articles published in English before January 2017 that reported on the association between SDB and cognitive function.

Study Selection

We included cross-sectional and prospective studies with at least 200 participants with a mean participant age of 40 years or older.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Data were extracted independently by 2 investigators. We extracted and pooled adjusted risk ratios from prospective studies and standard mean differences from cross-sectional studies, using random-effect models. This meta-analysis followed the PRISMA guidelines and also adhered to the MOOSE guidelines.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Cognitive outcomes were based on standard tests or diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Sleep-disordered breathing was ascertained by apnea-hypopnea index or clinical diagnosis.

Results

We included 14 studies, 6 of which were prospective, covering a total of 4 288 419 men and women. Pooled analysis of the 6 prospective studies indicated that those with SDB were 26% (risk ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05-1.50) more likely to develop cognitive impairment, with no evidence of publication bias but significant heterogeneity between studies. After removing 1 study that introduced significant heterogeneity, the pooled risk ratio was 1.35 (95% CI, 1.11-1.65). Pooled analysis of the 7 cross-sectional studies suggested that those with SDB had slightly worse executive function (standard mean difference, -0.05; 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.00), with no evidence of heterogeneity or publication bias. Sleep-disordered breathing was not associated with global cognition or memory.

Conclusions and Relevance

Sleep-disordered breathing is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and a small worsening in executive function. Further studies are required to determine the mechanisms linking these common conditions and whether treatment of SDB might reduce risk of cognitive impairment.

Reviewing the relationship between OSA and cognition: Where do we go from here?

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a disorder of breathing during sleep resulting in temporary reduction in cerebral oxygenation and sleep disruption. A growing body of research reveals a relatively consistent pattern of deficits in cognition, particularly in attention, episodic memory, and executive function, which are partially remediated by treatment. This is where the consensus ends. Despite a number of competing explanations regarding how OSA affects cognition, reliable evidence is hard to find, which may relate to the many, common conditions co-morbid with OSA or to the methodological challenges in this field. This paper reviews the evidence for cognitive impairment in OSA, the proposed models of cognitive harm, the impact of co-morbidities and the many methodological and theoretical challenges of exploring the effect of OSA on cognition. To overcome some of these challenges, we end by proposing a number of future directions for the field, including suggesting some core design elements for future studies.

APOE Genotype and Nonrespiratory Sleep Parameters in Cognitively Intact Older Adults

Study Objectives

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) Ɛ4 allele increases Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk and has been linked to a greater risk of sleep-disordered breathing. We investigated the association of APOE genotype with nonrespiratory sleep parameters.

Methods

We studied 1264 cognitively normal participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (mean = 57.5 ± 16.1 years, range 19.9-92.0, 48.2% women, 19.8% African American) with APOE genotyping and self-reported sleep duration (≥9, 7 or 8, ≤6 hours), difficulty falling/staying asleep, and napping. We compared Ɛ4 carriers with all noncarriers and compared persons at reduced (Ɛ2/Ɛ2 or Ɛ2/Ɛ3) or elevated AD risk (≥1 Ɛ4 allele) with those neutral for AD risk (Ɛ3/Ɛ3).

Results

In fully adjusted models, those with ≥1 Ɛ4 allele had a greater odds of being in a shorter sleep duration category compared to all noncarriers (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06, 1.88) and Ɛ3/Ɛ3 carriers (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.06, 1.92). Compared to Ɛ3/Ɛ3 carriers, Ɛ2/Ɛ2 or Ɛ2/Ɛ3 carriers had a lower odds of reporting napping (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.43, 0.96). Among participants aged ≥50 years, sleep duration findings remained and Ɛ4 carriers had a greater odds of trouble falling/staying asleep than noncarriers (OR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.02, 2.17). We found some evidence for stronger associations of Ɛ4 with sleep duration among African Americans.

Conclusions

Self-reported sleep duration, napping, and trouble falling/staying asleep differ by APOE genotype. Studies are needed to examine whether APOE promotes AD by degrading sleep and to clarify the role of race in these associations.

Sleep characteristics and risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

INTRODUCTION

This study tested the hypotheses that late-midlife obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and short and long sleep duration are associated with dementia over 15 years of follow-up.

METHODS

A total of 1667 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study participants underwent in-home polysomnography (1996-1998) and were followed for dementia. Dementia was defined by (1) hospitalization diagnosis codes (1996-2012) and (2) a comprehensive neurocognitive examination (2011-2013) with adjudication.

RESULTS

OSA and sleep duration were not associated with risk of incident dementia. When using adjudicated outcomes, severe OSA (≥30 vs. <5 apnea-hypopnea events/hour) was associated with higher risk of all-cause dementia (risk ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.35 [1.06-5.18]) and Alzheimer's disease dementia (1.66 [1.03-2.68]); associations were attenuated with cardiovascular risk factor adjustment. Sleeping <7 versus 8 to ≤9 hours was associated with higher risk of all-cause dementia (2.00 [1.03-3.86]).

DISCUSSION

When adjudicated outcome definitions were used, late-midlife OSA and short sleep duration were associated with all-cause and Alzheimer's disease dementia in later life.

Hypersomnia in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Hypersomnia is a common complaint in many patients with neurodegenerative diseases and a major cause of decreased quality of life. This article discusses the prevalence and factors associated with hypersomnia in patients with a variety of neurodegenerative diseases affecting the central nervous system, including tauopathies, synucleinopathies, and other conditions. Common nocturnal sleep problems that may result in daytime hypersomnia are delineated. A clinical approach to hypersomnia in patients with neurodegenerative diseases, recommended diagnostic testing, and available treatment options are also discussed.

Associations between depression, sleep disturbance, and apolipoprotein E in the development of Alzheimer's disease: dementia

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disease that causes cognitive impairment and dementia. Within the US, AD is the most common form of dementia in the elderly, affecting 1 in 10 people over the age of 65. Sleep disturbance has been called a "public health epidemic" and, like depression, is a prodromal symptom of AD but may also contribute to the risk of developing AD. It was hypothesized that sleep disturbance, depression, and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype increase the likelihood of AD.

METHODS

Utilizing data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center, information from evaluations of 11,453 cognitively asymptomatic participants was analyzed. Survival analysis was used to explore the independent relationships between depression, sleep disturbance, and APOE genotypes with eventual AD diagnosis. Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to explore the main effects and synergistic effects of psychosocial factors as moderated by APOE genotypes.

RESULTS

This study reinforced the association between APOE and AD. The hazard of developing AD was eight times higher for those with recent depression and the Ɛ4 homozygote (HR = 8.15 [3.70-17.95]). Among Ɛ4 carriers with clinician-verified depression, the hazard was ten times that of the reference group (HR = 10.11 [4.43-23.09]). The hazard for Ɛ4 carriers reporting sleep disturbance was almost 7 times greater than the reference group (HR = 6.79 [2.38-19.37]).

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that sleep disturbance, depression, and APOE Ɛ4 genotype are associated with AD during follow-up evaluations among a group of initially cognitively asymptomatic participants. This study contributes to the literature base exploring an increased hazard or risk of AD due to potential modifiable risk factors as well as genetic biomarkers, such as APOE.

The Synergistic Relationship between Alzheimer's Disease and Sleep Disorders: An Update

Sleep disorders are frequently reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD), with a significant impact on patients and caregivers and a major risk factor for early institutionalization. Although changes in sleep organization are a hallmark of the normal aging processes, sleep macro- and micro-architectural alterations are more evident in patients affected by AD. Degeneration of neural pathways regulating sleep-wake patterns and sleep architecture may contribute to sleep alterations. In return, several recent studies suggested that common sleep disorders may precede clinical symptoms of dementia and represent risk factors for cognitive decline, through impairment of sleep-dependent memory consolidation processes. Thus, a close relationship between sleep disorders and AD has been largely hypothesized. Here, sleep alterations in AD and its pre-dementia stage, mild cognitive impairment, and their complex interactions are reviewed.

The Role of Big Data in the Management of Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Analysis of large-volume data holds promise for improving the application of precision medicine to sleep, including improving identification of patient subgroups who may benefit from alternative therapies. Big data used within the health care system also promises to facilitate end-to-end screening, diagnosis, and management of sleep disorders; improve the recognition of differences in presentation and susceptibility to sleep apnea; and lead to improved management and outcomes. To meet the vision of personalized, precision therapeutics and diagnostics and improving the efficiency and quality of sleep medicine will require ongoing efforts, investments, and change in our current medical and research cultures.

Apolipoprotein E ɛ2/ɛ3/ɛ4 variant in association with obstructive sleep apnoea and lipid profile: A meta-analysis

Objective

A meta-analysis of the association between haplotypical variants of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene (ɛ2/ɛ3/ɛ4) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) risk and changes in lipid profile.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched to retrieve articles that provided data on APOE gene ɛ2/ɛ3/ɛ4 variants in patients with OSA and healthy controls. Data were extracted from eligible articles and statistical analyses were performed.

Results

The meta-analysis included 14 articles involving 19 study populations (3198 patients and 6031 controls). There was no significant association between the presence of the ɛ4 allele and OSA risk. The presence of ɛ4 was associated with significantly increased total cholesterol and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, compared with ɛ4 allele negative individuals. There was a low probability of publication bias but significant heterogeneity.

Conclusions

There was no association between APOE ɛ2/ɛ3/ɛ4 and OSA susceptibility. The presence of APOE ɛ4 was associated with changes in lipid profile.

Examining the association between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) and self-reported sleep disturbances in non-demented older adults

We aimed to examine the association between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) and sleep disturbances. This is a cross-sectional study, from the Washington Heights-Inwood Community Aging Project (WHICAP). A total of 1944 non-demented older adults took part in the study. Sleep dysfunction was measured using sleep categories derived from the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale. Genetic association between APOE-ϵ4 genotype and sleep disturbances was assessed using unadjusted linear regression models. Secondary analyses were conducted adjusting for age, sex, education, ethnicity and body mass index (BMI). In the unadjusted model, individuals carrying the APOE-ϵ4 allele showed lower levels of snoring (β=-0.02, SE=0.01, p=0.010) and sleep apnea (β=-0.01, SE=0.01, p=0.037) when compared to non-ϵ4 carriers. After covariates' adjustment, ϵ4 carriers demonstrated stronger association with lower levels of both snoring (β=-0.02, SE=0.01, p=0.006), and sleep apnea (β=-0.01, SE=0.01, p=0.018). Our results suggest that APOE-ϵ4 is associated with decreased problems in snoring and sleep apnea, in non-demented older adults.

Amyloid burden is associated with self-reported sleep in nondemented late middle-aged adults

Midlife may be an ideal window for intervention in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To determine whether sleep is associated with early signs of AD neuropathology (amyloid deposition) in late midlife, we imaged brain amyloid deposits using positron emission tomography with [C-11]Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB), and assessed sleep with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale in 98 cognitively healthy adults (aged 62.4 ± 5.7 years) from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention. We used multiple regressions to test the extent to which sleep scores predicted regional amyloid burden. Participants reporting less adequate sleep, more sleep problems, and greater somnolence on the Medical Outcomes Study had greater amyloid burden in AD-sensitive brain regions (angular gyrus, frontal medial orbital cortex, cingulate gyrus, and precuneus). Amyloid was not associated with reported sleep amount, symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, trouble falling asleep, or Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Poor sleep may be a risk factor for AD and a potential early marker of AD or target for preventative interventions in midlife.

Sleep Disorders as a Risk to Language Learning and Use

CLINICAL QUESTION

Are people with sleep disorders at higher risk for language learning deficits than healthy sleepers?

METHOD

Scoping Review.

STUDY SOURCES

PubMed, Google Scholar, Trip Database, ClinicalTrials.gov.

SEARCH TERMS

sleep disorders AND language AND learning; sleep disorders language learning -deprivation -epilepsy; sleep disorders AND verbal learning.

NUMBER OF INCLUDED STUDIES

36.

PRIMARY RESULTS

Children and adults with sleep disorders were at a higher risk for language problems than healthy sleepers. The language problems typically co-occurred with problems of attention and executive function (in children and adults), behavior (in children), and visual-spatial processing (in adults). Effects were typically small. Language problems seldom rose to a level of clinical concern but there were exceptions involving phonological deficits in children with sleep-disordered breathing and verbal memory deficits among adults with sleep-disordered breathing or idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Case history interviews should include questions about limited sleep, poor-quality sleep, snoring, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Medical referrals for clients with suspected sleep disorders are prudent.