Sleep Apnoea May Be Linked to Higher Dementia Risk, Australian Study Finds
30 Jun 2026
Researchers from Monash University studied 2,795 Australians aged 40–70 who had no signs of cognitive impairment. Participants completed memory tests and dementia risk assessments as part of the Healthy Brain Project.
Around 7% of participants reported having obstructive sleep apnoea. The study found that people with OSA performed slightly worse on memory tests and had higher dementia risk scores than those without the condition.
Researchers noted that participants with sleep apnoea were also more likely to have other dementia risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, making it difficult to conclude that OSA alone increased dementia risk.
The findings also suggested that sleep apnoea may be linked to poorer memory regardless of whether a person carries the APOE ε4 gene, a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
The researchers say sleep apnoea is common, often goes undiagnosed and is highly treatable. They believe earlier screening and appropriate management may provide an opportunity to support long-term brain health, while further research is needed to better understand the relationship between sleep apnoea and dementia.
Sleep Apnoea May Be Linked to Higher Dementia Risk, Australian Study Finds
Source: newsGP | Monash University