Treatment for obstructive sleep apnea improves memory problems, according to clinical trial. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often report problems with their memory.

Now researchers at Brown University Medical School report that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can improve memory, especially when it is used consistently.

They looked at 58 memory impaired OSA patients and had them try CPAP for three months. The patients were divided into groups according to how long they had used CPAP for - less than two hours a night (poor users), between two and six hours a night (moderate users), and more than six hours a night (optimal users). Memory tests after the trial showed that 21 per cent of poor users, 44 per cent of moderate users and 68 per cent of optimal users showed normal memory performance. That is, optimal users of CPAP were nearly eight times as likely to demonstrate normal memory following treatment. Therefore, it is worthwhile persisting with CPAP treatment if your memory has been impaired by OSA.

Source

Chest December 2006