Comments on: Sleep Apnea Causes Brain Damage

By: dottiemae

dottiemae — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 23:40:50 +0000

Interesting, seems the Doctors will state the pulmary disease and or heart disease is not 100% corrected when on CPAP, but when I asked about perm brain damage (my spouse has central apnea) I am getting no where….

By: eeg of brain

eeg of brain — Wed, 04 May 2011 09:34:57 +0000

Thanks for writing this. I really feel as though I know so much more about this than I did before. I think the implications of this study along with various other similar studies are profound. What this means is that if you have obstructive sleep apnea, you can literally kill off certain parts of your brain, that preferentially control your memory, executive function, your breathing patterns, and even your your heart rate. Your blog really brought some things to light that I never would have thought about before reading it. You should continue this, I’m sure most people would agree you’ve got a gift. Thanks for sharing…

By: Vik Tantry

Vik Tantry — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:27:28 +0000

Looks interesting – will definitely check it out!

By: Per Laursen

Per Laursen — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:30:26 +0000

I am a well CPAP-treated OSA patient,  and for years ago I realised that I have had a brain injury from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The cognitive problems in Sleep Apnea seems to be irriversible, despite 100% use every night of CPAP for 9 years.
All the other patients I have been in contact with in Denmark ,suffers more or less from the same pattern in cognitive symptoms, as I have noticed by myself.
Problems with short term/working memory, concentration, motivation, mood and high blod pressure.
I think that "CPAP stops the accident", but does'nt give you back the braincells that suffered lack of oxygen for years.
Some Doctors seems to be aware of this and others does'nt.
I think that the reason why the thruth about apnea, is so slow to be spread is, that in the years before we are diagnosed properly, we are alle cash cows to the medical industry, because the only treatment we are met with are drugs, drugs and drugs. Tons of medicine to controle our blood pressure, depressions, and even sleep medicin wich can kill, if you are suffering from undiscovered Apnea . The plain truth is that  no drugs can replace the lack of sleep and oxygen.
But despite my advice to everyone of you are, to use your CPAP every time you sleep. Believe me, It can really get a lot worse if you dont.

By: Roger V

Roger V — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:07:47 +0000

It sounds plausible to me and is consistent with my experience after years of undiagnosed sleep apnea. I have MCI including ADD and memory loss.
The UCLA study on mammilary bodies referred to thiamine therapy for the brain. Do you think this is worth pursuing? What type of doctor would be most familiar with thiamine therapy?