Is sleep apnea the missing link between high blood pressure and Alzheimer's?

By Neha MathurOct 29 2023Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc. In a recent review article published in the journal Hypertension Research, researchers evaluate the relationship between the 'non-dipper' pattern of hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea and its involvement in the development of Alzheimer’s disease .

OSA, even in its mild forms, can increase nocturnal BP through various mechanisms, thus indicating that this condition can directly contribute to non-dipper hypertension and its associated cardiovascular risks. In one recent review, researchers found that OSA significantly increases the risk of non-dipper hypertension; however, nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatments of six hours or less have been shown to reduce the risk of non-dipper hypertension in about 70% of OSA patients.

The higher BP levels observed in AD patients may also lead to arterial remodelling that exacerbates the production of amyloid b plaques. Likewise, arterial stiffening and microvascular dysfunction can limit Ab clearance, thereby further increasing Ab levels within the brain. Previous studies have demonstrated that early AD may affect the Ic before clinical symptoms have developed and can be accompanied by altered nocturnal BP levels and sleep apnea in elderly patients.

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