Hypoxemia during rapid eye movement sleep mediates memory impairment in older adults at risk for dementia via CA1 hippocampal volume loss.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased dementia risk. Nocturnal hypoxemia, which can be more severe during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, may be a key mechanism. This study examines how REM hypoxemia affects memory and explores whether hippocampal vulnerability to hypoxemia mediates this effect in older adults at risk for dementia.

Methods

Older adults aged ≥50 years (N = 338) with subjective or mild cognitive impairment (i.e., objective impairment) underwent neuropsychological, mood, and medical assessment, magnetic resonance imaging scanning (n = 135), and overnight polysomnography. Verbal learning and memory were assessed with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. REM sleep hypoxemia was measured using the Oxygen Desaturation Index-3

SUBMITTER: Lam A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11555004 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature