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Should we Treat Sleep Apnoea to Prevent Dementia?
Nikita Gurbani, Sharon Linda Naismith, Ivana Rosenzweig, Panagis Drakatos, Aaron Kin Fu Lam. Current Treatment Options in Neurology, 2025-04-10
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Abstract Purpose of Review Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is increasingly recognised as a significant risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. This review critically examines the link between OSA and cognitive impairment, with a focus on individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. It also assesses the effectiveness of OSA treatments in mitigating cognitive deterioration, considering factors such as treatment adherence and economic implications. Recent Findings Emerging evidence suggests a strong association between OSA and cognitive impairment, with hypoxaemia and nocturnal hypoxia playing key roles in cognitive decline. Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy shows promise in improving cognitive outcomes, particularly in individuals with MCI, though its efficacy in advanced dementia remains uncertain. Adherence rates to PAP therapy among older adults with cognitive impairment are comparable to those in the general population. However, variability in study methodologies and populations limits definitive conclusions. Summary OSA is a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, but further research is needed to determine the long-term cognitive benefits of treatment. Future studies should emphasise early detection, optimise adherence strategies, and explore cost-effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, especially for older adults with cognitive impairment.
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APA 7th
Gurbani, N., Naismith, S. L., Rosenzweig, I., Drakatos, P., & Lam, A. K. F. (2025). Should we Treat Sleep Apnoea to Prevent Dementia? Current Treatment Options in Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-025-00836-8
Vancouver
Gurbani N, Naismith SL, Rosenzweig I, Drakatos P, Lam AKF. Should we Treat Sleep Apnoea to Prevent Dementia? Current Treatment Options in Neurology. 2025. doi:10.1007/s11940-025-00836-8.
BibTeX
@article{gurbani2025-38fdc199,
author = {Gurbani, Nikita and Naismith, Sharon Linda and Rosenzweig, Ivana and Drakatos, Panagis and Lam, Aaron Kin Fu},
title = {{Should we Treat Sleep Apnoea to Prevent Dementia?}},
journal = {Current Treatment Options in Neurology},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1007/s11940-025-00836-8},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-025-00836-8}
}
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Key findings
- Abstract Purpose of Review Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is increasingly recognised as a significant risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia.
Why it matters
This review reports that obstructive sleep apnoea is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, and that positive airway pressure therapy shows promise for improving cognition particularly in people with mild cognitive impairment. It concludes that further research is needed to determine long-term cognitive benefits of treatment, especially in advanced dementia.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 35/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Current Treatment Options in Neurology) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Current Treatment Options in Neurology: journal h-index 77 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 1 / 7 | Cited 4 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 4 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Aaron Kin Fu Lam: h-index 9 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | The University of Sydney: institution h-index 1,466 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 6 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 35 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
- DOI: 10.1007/s11940-025-00836-8
- Original source →
- Free full text: Current Treatment Options in Neurology →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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