Heavy snoring could increase vulnerability to Alzheimer’s

AN incident of reduced oxygen to the brain caused by a stroke, heart attack, or even heavy snoring, could make people more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease, scientists said today.

Such an incident can leave the patient more open to the gradual build-up of toxic chemicals which can cause Alzheimer’s, a team of scientists at the University of Leeds said. This means a stroke victim may still be more at risk of developing Alzheimer’s decades after they have made a full recovery.

Professor Chris Peers of the school of medicine, who led the research, said: “Our research is looking into what happens when oxygen levels in the brain are reduced by a number of factors, from long-term conditions like emphysema and angina, to sudden incidents such as a heart attack, stroke or even head trauma.

“Even though the patient may outwardly recover, the hidden cell damage may be irreversible.

“It could even be an issue for people who snore heavily, whose sleep patterns are such that there will be times in the night when their brain is hypoxic — deprived of sufficient oxygen.

“It can be anything that stops the heart and lungs working together to their optimal capabilities.”

Professor Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The team examined the role of cells that support neurones in the brain. This is exciting because rather than focusing on neurones they looked at processes in the brain, which until now have not be researched in so much detail.”

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for more than half of the 700,000 people in Britain who suffer with dementia, the university said.

The number of people with dementia will more than double by 2050 because people are living longer, it is predicted.

Alzheimer’s is a fatal and incurable brain disease which can take 30 years to develop. Beyond the age of 65 the chances of developing the disease doubles every five years.