A new study has revealed a significant connection between untreated sleep apnea and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, with early CPAP therapy showing potential protective benefits. Conducted by researchers at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), the study analyzed data from over 11 million veterans aged 40 and older who did not initially have Parkinson’s. The findings suggest that individuals with untreated sleep apnea were nearly twice as likely to develop the condition over a five-year period. However, the study highlights that these findings indicate an association rather than causation, and further research is needed to establish a direct link.
The research, published in the JAMA Neurology journal, drew from records of U.S. veterans treated through the Department of Veterans Affairs between 1999 and 2022. Data were adjusted for various health factors, including age, sex, race, smoking, and other relevant variables. The study found that veterans who began continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy within two years of their sleep apnea diagnosis experienced a 30% lower risk of developing Parkinson’s. This reduction translated to approximately 2.3 fewer cases per 1,000 individuals, suggesting that early intervention could help prevent one case for every 439 people treated over five years. Nevertheless, the researchers noted that the study did not fully capture data on CPAP usage consistency and that the sample population was predominantly older men, which may limit the results’ generalizability.
Dr. Greg Scott, a co-author and Oregon-based pathologist, emphasized the surprising nature of the findings, stating that early CPAP therapy appeared to offer protective benefits. He mentioned that individuals who continued with CPAP therapy and later developed Parkinson’s experienced fewer fractures, fewer falls, and lower mortality rates. Dr. Lee Neilson, the lead author and OHSU neurologist, explained that repeated drops in oxygen levels during sleep could damage neurons, increase inflammation, and hinder the brain’s ability to clear away waste, potentially leading to the accumulation of toxic proteins. While CPAP therapy may help stabilize oxygen levels and improve sleep continuity, the researchers caution that their findings only indicate an association between sleep apnea and neurological disease, and more research is necessary to determine causation.
The study also raised questions about the potential reverse causation, noting that early symptoms of Parkinson’s, including sleep disturbances, might have influenced the initial diagnosis of sleep apnea. Despite these limitations, the findings underscore the importance of early detection and intervention for both conditions. Researchers are now considering further studies to explore the underlying mechanisms of this connection and the potential for targeted therapies to mitigate risks associated with sleep apnea and Parkinson’s disease.