A groundbreaking study has uncovered a significant connection between untreated sleep apnea and an elevated risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, with early intervention through CPAP therapy showing promising protective effects.
The research, conducted by a team from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), involved over 11 million veterans aged 40 and older who did not initially have Parkinson’s. The study found that veterans with untreated sleep apnea were almost twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s over a five-year period, compared to those without the condition.
However, veterans who initiated CPAP therapy within two years of their sleep apnea diagnosis experienced a 30% reduction in Parkinson’s risk. This translates to an estimated 2.3 fewer cases per 1,000 people treated over five years, suggesting that early CPAP treatment could potentially prevent one case for every 439 individuals.
Dr. Greg Scott, a co-author of the study, emphasized that the findings were ‘surprising’ and highlighted the importance of early intervention. He noted that those on CPAP therapy showed fewer fractures, falls, and lower mortality rates, underscoring the potential long-term benefits of treating sleep apnea.
The research, published in JAMA Neurology, utilized data from U.S. veterans receiving care through the Department of Veterans Affairs between 1999 and 2022, with adjustments made for age, sex, race, smoking, and other health factors.
The study also proposes several mechanisms by which sleep apnea may contribute to Parkinson’s risk, including the damage to neurons, increased inflammation, and impaired brain waste clearance. Dr. Lee Neilson, lead author of the study, explained that repeated drops in oxygen during sleep can ‘stun’ brain cells, potentially contributing to neurodegeneration.
Despite these findings, the researchers caution that this was an observational study, and thus, causation cannot be definitively established. They also note limitations such as the lack of detailed data on CPAP usage consistency and the potential for reverse causation, where early Parkinson’s symptoms might have influenced the diagnosis of sleep apnea.
While the study offers valuable insights, further research is needed to confirm these associations and explore potential therapeutic strategies to prevent or mitigate Parkinson’s disease through sleep apnea management.