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Sleep
Apnea Linked To Alzheimers
NEW
YORK (Reuters Health) - A gene already linked to the risk of Alzheimer's
and cardiovascular disease is also closely associated with sleep
apnea, scientists report.
``It is the
first genetic factor ever found to predispose to sleep apnea,
a disorder that affects 10% of the population,'' Dr. Emmanuel
Mignot of the Stanford University School of Medicine in California
told Reuters Health in an interview.
``Also, ApoE-4
predisposes people to high cholesterol and cardiovascular problems.
Since sleep apnea is a major predisposing factor for high blood
pressure, stroke and other cardiovascular events, these findings
may have important effects on general health for the general population,''
he added.
Apolipoprotein
E (ApoE) is a gene that codes for a cholesterol-carrying molecule,
and its three major variants are dubbed 2, 3 and 4. Individuals
have two ApoE genes, one from each parent. Mignot noted that about
28% of the population carries ApoE-4.
In their study,
Mignot and his colleagues monitored 791 patients at a sleep disorders
clinic. Each study participant had blood samples taken and analyzed
for the presence of the ApoE-4 gene.
Participants
who carried the ApoE-4 gene were twice as likely to suffer from
sleep apnea compared with those who did not have the variant,
according to the report in the June 13th issue of The Journal
of the American Medical Association. Those with two copies of
the gene had an even higher risk of sleep apnea.
``Our results
indicate that ApoE-4 is associated with sleep apnea,'' the researchers
write.
Sleep apnea
is a breathing disorder marked by short interruptions in a person's
breathing during sleep. These episodes are often accompanied by
snoring or choking. As a result of frequent interruptions in sleep,
patients are often tired during the day.
Mignot pointed
out that sleep apnea is also now recognized as a major predisposing
factor for high blood pressure, stroke and other cardiovascular
problems.
Based on the
study findings, Mignot said, his team estimates that about 8%
of sleep apnea in the general population may be linked to ApoE-4.
``It is a
lot of people, but I am not sure if it is enough for suggesting
genetic testing,'' he noted.
``I would,
however, say that if you have a family member with Alzheimer's
disease, plus you have obstructive sleep apnea, it may be important
to watch more carefully for signs of Alzheimer's disease,'' Mignot
said.
SOURCE:
The Journal of the American Medical Association 2001;285:2888-
Reference
Source 89
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