Does anyone think that sleep apnoea could have anything to do with the onset of AZ.
My DH was dx with sleep apnoea about 20 years ago and fitted with a sleep machine, but he refused to persevere with it. This was about 14 years before dx with az., and about 4 years ago he had another sleep over test and was told he had very bad sleep apnoea, and again I bought him the latest machine complete with humidifier (the works), he tried it for a couple of nights, then once again refused to use it.
I know that sleep apnoea stops the blood from reaching the brain, so am wondering if it could have anything to do with az. DH snores like a train, I might add, and has done for all those years. I realise that medicos say they don't really know what causes the plaques in the brain to tangle, but it has crossed my mind a few times as to whether if he had used the machines, would it have made any difference.
Sylvia, my hb was diagnosed with sleep apnea last year. He stopped breathing about every 2 minutes. The neurologist ordered the test after asking about his snoring and breathing at night. He has snored for years, also. The last year it has been nice not to have the loud snoring but for a time we went thru his mouth opening and the air gushing all night long. Now his mouth is closed but he has ground his lower teeth down grinding them against the steel on his upper bridge.
Are apnea and AD related? My feelings from the neurologist - both his and the sleep doctor who is a neurologist, is that it can contribute but is not an overall cause. The brain does eventually start to die after repeated times of non-oxygen but the area of death is minute and I believe the brain can rebuild that area or compensate elsewhere.
On the homepage is a link to an article where researchers have found "report that the addition of a single phosphate to an amino acid in a key brain protein is a principal cause of Alzheimer's." Read the rest of the article - it is very interesting and hopeful for the future. I honestly believe the cause of AD will not be where they have been thinking but totally different like this research has found. Is it the answer - time will tell. I also read another article somewhere on this same line. We can only hope they will find the answer for the future. For our spouses, it is too late.
Hi Sylvia...my husband also had sleep apnea long before he was diagnosed with AD. I do think it contributes and may even cause AD in some cases. In any event I would encourage all who are loud snorers with periods of not breathing to get medical attention ASAP. The ironic thing was after many years of literally snoring so loudly....I mean wake the dead loud...once he had full blown AD he stopped snoring. I mean sleep on his back and not a sound. Found out that several others reported the same thing. Of course when I mentioned it to our neurologist he gave me "one of those looks". And mumbled something non commital.