Sleep Apnea Linked to Parkinson’s Disease, New Study Finds

Does sleep apnea increase Parkinson's risk?

A major new study led by NAPS investigator Dr. Lee Neilson, based on more than 11 million veteran health records, found that having obstructive sleep apnea in midlife is linked to a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease later on.

Prior research has connected sleep apnea to other neurodegenerative conditions, possibly due to disrupted sleep, inflammation, low oxygen, and impaired brain waste-clearing during the night.

Importantly, the study also showed that treating sleep apnea with PAP/CPAP therapy was associated with a reduced future risk of Parkinson’s, underscoring the importance of identifying and treating sleep disorders to support long-term brain health.