Sleep apnoea can raise risk of Parkinson's disease

People with obstructive sleep apnoea have an increased risk of suff ering from Parkinson’s disease, according to a study.

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Obstructive sleep apnoea is when throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway, causing a person to wake up repeatedly to breathe. This disrupted sleep pattern can lower oxygen levels, affecting the brain.

Researchers from the VA Portland Health Care System in Oregon, US looked at rates of Parkinson’s disease five years after a sleep apnoea diagnosis. They reviewed more than 20 years of medical records to identify nearly 1.6 million older adults who had obstructive sleep apnoea.