Can Sleep Apnea Cause Memory Loss? How OSA Affects Brain Health

Last Updated July 9, 2025

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a breathing disorder characterized by the blockage of a part or all of the upper airway that occurs during sleep. An estimated 30 million Americans suffer with sleep apnea, although 80% of these cases are undiagnosed. Poor quality sleep is already associated with weight gain, issues with blood sugar, lower immunity, cardiovascular problems and psychological concerns. OSA compounds these potential issues by intermittently depriving the brain of oxygen (a condition known as hypoxia). Over time, these nightly lapses in breathing can lead to long-term damage to brain structure and function. 

Why Treating Sleep Apnea Matters for Memory and Brain Function

If left untreated, changes in the brain caused by OSA can cause: 

• Strokes
• Impaired memory
• Depression
• Headaches
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Alzheimer’s disease

OSA is common in adults aged 65 and older. However, physicians often fail to see the causal connection between OSA and cognitive impairment, meaning cognitive decline may have already begun by the time sleep apnea is diagnosed. 

Fortunately, treating OSA can improve a patient’s quality of life and prevent further neurodegenerative decline. 

How Sleep Apnea Disrupts Brain Health and Causes Memory Loss

OSA episodes can occur many times throughout the night. Even in mild cases, a patient may stop breathing five times an hour, and in severe cases, there may be more than 30 events an hour. Each episode interrupts the flow of oxygen to the body and brain. This results in damage to every cell in the body.

These repeated interruptions in sleep:

• Prevent deep, restorative REM sleep
• Impair memory consolidation
• Inhibit the brain from removing waste
• Cause cellular damage
• Disrupt mood, focus, and recall

Sleep apnea is also associated with an increased risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia, including vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Over time, the brain may begin to accumulate plaque, a key biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease. Research suggests that proper oxygen-rich blood flow in and out of the brain is critical to preventing this buildup.

Common Signs and Symptoms of OSA

Early diagnosis of sleep apnea is essential to avoid potential long-term cognitive effects. Common signs include:

• Snoring loudly and frequently. Often, people do not realize they snore. But if you notice you awaken frequently and suddenly throughout the night, this may be because your snoring is disrupting your sleep. If you have a partner, they can attest to the type of snoring, which is helpful when meeting with a physician. 
• Experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness. A person with OSA may wake up feeling tired, even after a full night of sleep. Daytime drowsiness associated with OSA may emerge while reading, watching TV, or driving. People living with sleep apnea may also report brain fog or issues with memory throughout the day.
• Waking suddenly, gasping for air. People with OSA are often jolted awake when they stop breathing, because the airway has narrowed or collapsed. They may also wake with a dry mouth because they’ve been breathing through their mouth to draw in more oxygen.

To confirm an obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis, your physician may recommend an at-home sleep study or overnight monitoring at a sleep clinic. These studies usually involve wearing an apparatus that will measure your oxygen level, heart rate, and respiration while you sleep.

What Causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Several anatomical and health-related factors may contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnea, including

• Large neck circumference
• Obesity
• An enlarged uvula
• Blocked nasal passages (from issues like allergies or a deviated septum)
• Swollen tonsils or adenoids
• Smoking or alcohol use
• Medical conditions like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure

Treating Sleep Apnea to Prevent Cognitive Decline

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea includes nonsurgical and surgical approaches. Nonsurgical methods include:

• Weight loss: Losing weight, especially around the neck, can significantly improve OSA symptoms. 
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This method uses a mask-style apparatus that prevents partial or complete collapse of the airways while sleeping. It forces compressed air into those compromised areas to prevent obstruction. 
• Oral appliances: Those averse to machines may prefer oral appliances. These mouthpieces are crafted to open your airways by either bringing your jaw forward or holding your tongue in place. 
• Surgical options: Procedures can be performed using conventional or laser techniques to alter or remove any physical obstructions, like adenoids or enlarged tonsils. Other surgical methods may include altering the jawbones, soft tissue, or nose. 

For those experiencing cognitive decline from obstructive sleep apnea, Aviv Clinics’ proprietary Aviv Medical Program can help reverse damage caused by OSA. Our board-certified physicians can prescribe a personalized treatment program to address your cognitive and physical concerns. Depending on your lifestyle, health conditions, and symptoms, your customized Aviv Medical Program may include an evidence-based hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol, cognitive exercises, physical training, nutritional coaching, and other interventions as prescribed. 96% of Aviv Clinics clients experience clinically verifiable improvements in brain function after completing the program.

Why Early OSA Treatment is Critical for Brain Health

Untreated OSA can impair memory, learning, and concentration, and undermine long-term brain health. The long-term effects can be debilitating. Studies have shown that untreated OSA can lead to decreased brain activation, diminished memory recall, and impaired learning.

The good news is that OSA treatment can improve these symptoms, curtail further neurodegeneration, and preserve your brain function.

The Bottom Line: Sleep Apnea, Memory Loss and Your Brain

Obstructive sleep apnea is more than just snoring. It’s a serious condition that can accelerate cognitive decline and other health issues. If untreated, symptoms will worsen with age. 

The good news? With the right treatment, these effects can be treated. Based on nearly two decades of research and development, the Aviv Medical Program is available in the United States only at Aviv Clinics in The Villages, Florida

If you suspect you are experiencing sleep apnea, you can get help to improve—and even resolve—symptoms like daytime sleepiness, brain fog, and memory lapses.

Contact Aviv Clinics today to schedule a consultation and explore how the Aviv Medical Program can help you reclaim your brain health.