As if snoring wasn’t irritating enough, a new study has linked this common sleep habit with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that snoring was associated with a faster cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, cognition, and behavior. It’s the most common cause of dementia, a term used to describe a decline in cognitive function that impacts daily activities.

Alzheimer’s disease affects about 5 million people in the United States and is the sixth leading cause of death. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are treatments available that may help manage symptoms.

What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition that affects memory and thinking abilities. It’s more severe than the normal cognitive decline associated with aging but not as severe as dementia.

MCI doesn’t usually interfere with daily activities but puts people at a higher risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

: The Study

The study looked at 214 people with an average age of 68 who had been diagnosed with MCI or Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were evaluated for sleep-disordered breathing, which includes snoring and sleep apnea.

They also underwent cognitive assessments over an average of 2.6 years.

The results showed that participants who snored had a faster cognitive decline compared to those who didn’t snore. In fact, the researchers found that people who snored had a greater risk of cognitive decline compared to those with sleep apnea.

This link between snoring and cognitive decline was more pronounced in women than in men.

How Might Snoring Affect the Brain?

The study doesn’t provide a clear mechanism for how snoring might increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the researchers propose several hypotheses.

One possibility is that snoring leads to intermittent hypoxia, a condition where the blood oxygen level drops intermittently during sleep. This can cause damage to the blood vessels in the brain and lead to inflammation, which is a risk factor for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Another possibility is that snoring leads to sleep fragmentation, which can impair the brain’s ability to consolidate memories and lead to cognitive decline.

What Can You Do?

If you snore, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Here are a few tips:.

Practice good sleep hygiene, such as going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and having a quiet and comfortable sleep environment.
Try sleeping on your side instead of your back, which can reduce snoring.
Lose weight if you’re overweight or obese, as excess weight is a risk factor for sleep-disordered breathing.
Quit smoking, as smoking has been linked to sleep-disordered breathing and cognitive decline.

If you or a loved one has sleep-disordered breathing or cognitive impairment, speak to a healthcare provider.

They can evaluate your symptoms and recommend treatment options, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for sleep apnea or cognitive training for cognitive impairment.

: Conclusion

Snoring may be more than just a nuisance – it could be a sign of an increased risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

While the study doesn’t prove cause and effect, it adds to the growing body of evidence linking sleep-disordered breathing and brain health. If you or a loved one has a snoring habit, don’t ignore it. Speak to a healthcare provider and take steps to reduce your risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.