article_snippet.sent: But that irritating nocturnal drone might actually be an early warning sign of dementia, scientists have warned.
article_snippet.sent: Researchers have discovered that people who have breathing problems while asleep are more likely to experience an early decline in memory and other brain functions.
article_snippet.sent: In a worrying study, Researchers found that people with sleep apnoea - a condition often typified by heavy snoring - saw a mental decline more than a decade earlier, on average, than those who had no sleep problems.
article_snippet.sent: People who have breathing problems while asleep are more likely to experience an early decline in memory and other brain functions .
article_snippet.sent: The US researchers’ results also suggested that the onset of Alzheimer’s might be accelerated among those with sleeping problems.
article_snippet.sent: Among that group, those who had sleep breathing problems also developed Alzheimer’s disease five years earlier than those who did not have sleep breathing problems, at an average age of 83 compared to 88.
article_snippet.sent: The onset of Alzheimer’s might be accelerated among those with sleeping problem, experts said (file photo)
article_snippet.sent: His team did not establish exactly why heavy snoring might cause early dementia, but previous research has established links between sleep disruption and dementia.
article_snippet.sent: Dr Doug Brown, director of research and development at the Alzheimer’s Society, said:
article_snippet.sent: In an observational study, those who reported a sleep apnoea developed cognitive decline a decade earlier than those without sleep breathing problems, but the link between sleep apnoea and Alzheimer’s disease was much less clear.
article_snippet.sent: ‘Several earlier studies have shown that the quantity and quality of sleep we get can have an impact on our cognitive health and as sleeping disorders are common among the elderly, it is vital that we see more research into this area.
article_snippet.sent: Dr Simon Ridley of Alzheimer’s Research UK, added: ‘an observational study adds to evidence that disrupted breathing during sleep could be a risk factor for memory and thinking decline in older age, but it doesn’t prove that one causes the other.
article_snippet.sent: ‘A good supply of oxygen to the brain is vital to keep A good supply of oxygen to the brain healthy and A good supply of oxygen to the brain is interesting to see that treatment of sleep apnoea was associated with a trend towards a later onset of memory and thinking problems.
highlights_snippet.sent: People who snore are more likely to experience an early decline in memory .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: People who snore apnoea saw a mental decline more than a decade earlier .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Onset of Alzheimer's might be accelerated for people with sleep problems .