Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Two-way Street.

Abstract

Background:- Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are really widespread chronic diseases with increasing impact on the elderly group in our society. Nowadays, many causes of obstructive sleep apnea are well identified, while Alzheimer’s disease related mechanism are still not recognized, challenging the arrival to an actual treatment. Cognitive impairment is a clinical recognized consequence of obstructive sleep apnea, which is a result of intermittent hypoxia, disruptions of sleep architecture, oxidative stress, hemodynamic and transthoracic pressure changes, all of these factors increase the Alzheimer’s disease risk in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s disease can aid the emergence of obstructive sleep apnea by revealing serotonin and acetylcholine deficit; which are vital neurotransmitters for upper airway patency.