Forget brain games, try snoring

While past studies have shown actively stimulating one's brain may help slow the progression of Alzheimer's, a new study suggest treating the chronic snoring from a sleep disorder in some patients may be a better course of action.


Findings from the study suggest symptoms of dementia may worsen if a snoring condition known as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is left untreated, the Telegraph reports.

Previous studies have found this condition of sleep apnoea is common among Alzheimer's patients.


OSA is treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), where the airways are forced to stay open by adding pressure on them.


"This study, which showed significant improvement in patients' neurological test scores after treatment with CPAP, suggests that clinicians who treat patients with Alzheimer's disease and sleep apnoea should consider implementing CPAP treatment," Dr Sonia Ancoli-Israel, who led the study, told the news provider.


After using the treatment for as long as six weeks, patients found they remembered more and processed their thoughts quicker than before, according to the article.


There are approximately 700,000 people diagnosed with dementia in the UK.


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