The Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

June 22, 2025
The Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

In recent discussions at the SLEEP Annual Meeting held from June 8-11, 2025, in Seattle, Washington, Dr. Omonigho Michael Bubu, MD, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry, neurology, and population health at NYU Langone, presented crucial findings on the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This presentation highlighted significant race- and sex-specific mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of AD, drawing attention to the often-overlooked role of sleep disorders in neurodegenerative diseases.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to fragmented sleep and decreased oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxia). Dr. Bubu's research indicates that these factors are associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease, particularly through the buildup of neurotoxic proteins such as beta-amyloid and tau, which are central to Alzheimer’s pathology.

The significance of this research cannot be understated. According to Dr. Bubu, “Poor sleep is linked to neurotoxic protein buildup, accelerating Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease progression.”

The context of these findings is critical, especially considering that OSA is prevalent among certain demographic groups. Data suggests that Black and Hispanic individuals are disproportionately affected, facing a higher burden of OSA symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness. Dr. Bubu noted, “Black/African American and Hispanic older adults were significantly more likely to have increased risk for incident AD in measures of hypoxia and sleep duration.” This disparity highlights the need for targeted awareness and screening efforts, particularly in communities that may be at higher risk.

In terms of physiological mechanisms, Dr. Bubu outlined how intermittent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation due to OSA can contribute to the accumulation of amyloid and tau in the brain, thereby increasing the risk of cognitive decline. His research shows that individuals with OSA exhibit altered levels of established AD biomarkers, which can precede clinical diagnosis by several years. “Our findings support the hypothesis of an overarching model of late-onset AD,” he explained, suggesting that the direct neuronal injury resulting from OSA can occur independently of the presence of amyloid pathology.

The implications of these findings extend to clinical practice and public health policy. Dr. Bubu advocates for increased awareness and screening for OSA in Alzheimer’s trials, emphasizing that “screening for OSA may help identify individuals who may benefit from interventions targeted at OSA specifically.” Such interventions could potentially mitigate cognitive decline, particularly if implemented before significant neurodegeneration occurs.

Current statistics reinforce the urgency of this issue, with approximately 15% of Alzheimer’s disease cases attributable to specific sleep problems. This suggests that addressing sleep disorders could play a pivotal role in reducing the overall risk of Alzheimer’s, especially among vulnerable populations.

In conclusion, the intersection of sleep medicine and neurodegeneration is an emerging field that warrants further exploration. As Dr. Bubu notes, “If we can eliminate sleep problems before major cognitive decline, we may be able to significantly reduce the Alzheimer’s disease risk burden.” This presents a compelling case for integrating sleep health into the broader conversation surrounding Alzheimer’s disease prevention and intervention strategies.

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Obstructive Sleep ApneaAlzheimer's DiseaseOmonigho Michael BubuSleep DisordersNeurodegenerationHealth DisparitiesRacial Disparities in HealthCognitive DeclineBeta-AmyloidTau ProteinsPublic Health PolicySleep HealthNeuroscienceClinical TrialsPatient EducationAging ResearchDementia PreventionSleep FragmentationHypoxiaDemographic Health RisksMedical ResearchNeurologySLEEP Annual MeetingNYU LangoneCognitive ImpairmentMild Cognitive ImpairmentRace-Specific Health RisksNeurotoxic ProteinsHealthcare InterventionsSleep Apnea ScreeningPublic Awareness Campaigns

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