Evidence that Obstructive Sleep Apnea Causes Brain Damage

A new article on SleepEducation.com reports on the link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and brain damage.

A recent brain imaging study from France found a loss of “gray matter” in people with sleep apnea. A UCLA team reported similar results in a June 2008 study.

They found that people with sleep apnea have tissue loss in the mammillary bodies. These are brain regions that help store memory.

The same team published another brain imaging study in the journal Sleep in July 2008. It shows that people with sleep apnea have extensive alterations in “white matter.” The damage can affect mood, memory and blood pressure control.

The studies highlight the importance of treating sleep apnea. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP.

Learn more about the benefits of CPAP therapy.