Study Links Sleep Apnea to Higher Parkinson’s Risk, CPAP May Reduce Threat

In recognition of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a preliminary study suggests that individuals with obstructive sleep apnea are at a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Researchers will present the study at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting in San Diego and online from April 5–9, 2025. The study also indicates that initiating continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy within two years of a sleep apnea diagnosis may help reduce this risk.

3.4% of Sleep Apnea Patients Develop Parkinson’s Disease; Early CPAP Intervention Reduces Risk by 2.3 Cases per 1,000

To successfully carry out the study, researchers analyzed over 20 years of medical records to identify nearly 1.6 million veterans with obstructive sleep apnea and nearly 10 million veterans without the condition. The researchers then tracked which participants developed Parkinson’s disease. Among those with sleep apnea, 5,284 individuals (3.4%) developed Parkinson’s disease within five years, compared to 37,873 individuals (3.8%) in the group without sleep apnea. 

Additionally, researchers examined Parkinson’s disease rates five years following a sleep apnea diagnosis. After adjusting for age, sex, and health factors like smoking, they found that individuals with sleep apnea had 1.8 more cases of Parkinson’s disease per 1,000 people compared to those without sleep apnea. Among the sleep apnea participants, 10% had documented use of a CPAP machine. The researchers divided the participants into two groups: those who received a CPAP machine within two years of their diagnosis and those who received one after two years.

During the study, researchers found similar rates of Parkinson’s disease among individuals with sleep apnea who began using CPAP after two years and those who did not use CPAP, with 9.5 and 9.0 cases per 1,000 people, respectively. However, they observed a lower rate of Parkinson’s disease among those who started CPAP therapy within two years of their diagnosis, with 2.3 fewer cases per 1,000 people compared to those who did not use CPAP.

“It is encouraging to know that while obstructive sleep apnea may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease, treating it right away with CPAP may reduce that risk,” said Gregory D. Scott, MD, PhD, of the VA Portland Health Care System in Oregon. “Future studies are needed to follow people more closely after receiving a sleep apnea diagnosis and over longer periods of time.”

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Affects Up to 50% of Men and 25% of Women in Middle Age

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway and causing frequent awakenings to breathe. This disruption in sleep can reduce oxygen levels, impacting brain function. CPAP therapy delivers pressurized air through a mask to maintain an open airway while the person sleeps.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was once thought to be a rare condition 30 years ago. However, recent studies now show that it is much more common than previously believed. Moderate to severe OSA affects up to 50% of men and 25% of women in middle age, based on a measure called the apnoea–hypopnea index (AHI) of 15 or higher.

“Obstructive sleep apnea is common and previous research has found when untreated, it is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke,” said study author Gregory D. Scott, MD, PhD, of the VA Portland Health Care System in Oregon. “While our study found an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, the good news is people can do something about it, by using CPAP as soon as they are diagnosed with the sleep disorder.”

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Denisse Sandoval