Posted on 12/02/2021 8:48:56 PM PST by ConservativeMind
A good night's sleep plays an essential role in regulating brain health by removing the waste material and toxins that accumulate. Although many things can disturb sleep, one of the most common causes is snoring or other breathing issues that cause obstructive sleep apnea. A team of researchers sought to understand the relationship between breathing rate during sleep and cognitive function, and how a snoring intervention affects brain health.
The team discovered that maximum breathing rate can be used to distinguish healthy individuals from people with mild cognitive impairment and those with Alzheimer's disease. The researchers also found that a dental device to reduce snoring improves cognitive function in individuals who suffer from mild cognitive impairment.
The team found that the maximum breathing rate during uninterrupted periods of sleep can differentiate healthy individuals from individuals with either Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment.
The researchers also looked at whether the myTAP oral appliance affects breathing rate and cognitive function. For four weeks, participants wore the device at night and snoring decreased. After the intervention period, cognitive function—especially in the domain of memory—no longer differed between healthy individuals and individuals with mild cognitive impairment. This suggests better sleep improves cognition in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.
Though the team did not notice an overall difference in the cognitive function of participants with Alzheimer's disease, researchers are hopeful that the intervention could work. On the individual level, half of the participants with Alzheimer's disease saw improvements in their cognitive function. "Brain neurogenesis is a slow process, so perhaps these individuals may need a longer time period," noted Das.
Sleep medications give individuals the impression that they've slept well, when in reality the brain never enters a deep phase of the sleep essential for the housekeeping process to rid the body of toxins.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I used to use a half-tablet of Unisom to sleep better when I was working and highly stressed. Since retiring and getting a CPAP machine, I quit using Unisom and all other sleep aids (I think a few years of retirement was instrumental in completely eliminated work stress). My sleep doc told me the same thing about Unisom -- it ruins your sleep.
Ping Me on to your list please. Thank-yoi
Ping for wife...
Heck I read every article you post anyway.
I want on the list.
Done! (I knew you’d want on :-) )
When my son was playing travel baseball years ago, I had just gotten my first cpap machine. We went to KC for a tournament and I figured I wouldn’t need it for the weekend. Almost fell asleep a dozen times on the 3 hour drive back home.
After that, I have never gone a night without it. Goes wherever I go.
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