Decoding Causal Links Between Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer's Disease

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are two common chronic diseases with a well-documented association. Whether the association is causal has been highlighted by recent evidence reporting a neurobiological link between these disorders. This narrative review discusses the brain regions and networks involved in OSA as potential vulnerable areas for the development of AD neuropathology with a particular focus on gender-related implications. Using a neuroimaging perspective supported by neuropathological investigations, we provide a new model of neurodegeneration common to OSA and AD, that we have called OSA-AD neurodegeneration in order to decode the causal links between these two chronic conditions.

Automated summary

This review explores the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and proposes a new neurodegenerative model called OSA-AD neurodegeneration to decode the causal links between these two chronic conditions. Using neuroimaging and neuropathological investigations, the study highlights potential vulnerable brain regions and networks in OSA for the development of AD neuropathology.