Sleep Apnea in E4

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KatieS
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Sleep Apnea in E4

Post by KatieS »

There appears to be a strong association of being an E4 carrier and developing sleep apnea. Plus, if you are a carrier, the apnea is worse, even though you might not have the stereotypical signs of being at risk for sleep apnea (obese, large neck size, male).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12127169
http://www.alzforum.org/news/research-n ... entia-risk

In E4 carriers, unlike non-carriers, the sleep apnea was associated with lower cognitive tests.
http://www.researchgate.net/publication ... 4_Carriers

I could not find where sleep apnea had been previously discussed. From my personal experience, having been diagnosed with "critical severe sleep apnea" a few years ago, I've always been perplexed as to why I had such a diagnosis. I was essentially without complaints, and was diagnosed as my husband had sleep apnea, and thought I should get a baseline sleep study.

By 2015, we should have the results of a NYU study as to what came first, the sleep apnea or the Alzheimer's. Researchers are questioning that early brain injury due to Alzheimer's might create sleep apnea. On the other hand, we know that sleep apnea shrinks the hippocampus, so would not this contribute to the memory decline?
Sandraz
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Re: Sleep Apnea in E4

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Wow. Thanks for alerting us of this. I am looking at oximeter on line now to see if I need to do a sleep study. I remember my father snored like a chainsaw cutting the house in half when I was a kid. With long pauses as his air supply was cut off, now I realize. He died at age 61 of congestive heart failure with his coronary arteries blocked 95-99 percent.

Thank you. I just joined 2 days ago and have already received so much valuable info.
Sandra Z
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Doctor Lost
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Re: Sleep Apnea in E4

Post by Doctor Lost »

well, that's somewhat reassuring. I've had sleep apnea for over 10 years, though it is minimized Amitryptiline (an MAOI), which I take for my very cranky Bowels. Amitryptiline is also thought to provide some relief for many symptoms of AD.

http://www.dana.org/Publications/GuideD ... x?id=49989
Last edited by Doctor Lost on Sun Apr 20, 2014 9:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
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SusanJ
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Re: Sleep Apnea in E4

Post by SusanJ »

Wow, is right. My dad could wake up the neighbors, and between snoring and restless legs, my mom slept elsewhere. He was obese, but now I wonder if he had apnea and how much it contributed to his AD.

Thanks for sharing!
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Re: Sleep Apnea in E4

Post by Doctor Lost »

somewhat oddly, my Grandfather was an epic snorer while my grandmother got AD.
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Julie G
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Re: Sleep Apnea in E4

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Doc, careful with the amitriptyline. In researching the best pain medication (to avoid AD) for my surgery, I came across several strong warnings against amitriptyline for our population. Just because it's useful in controlling the behavior of dementia patients doesn't necessarily mean it translates into being helpful for preventing dementia.

http://www.mind.uci.edu/medications-and ... -to-avoid/

http://www.albany.edu/sph/cphce/sta/att ... ations.pdf

Many of us (myself included) have cranky bowels. I'm convinced there's an E4 component there with increased inflammation and an overly alert innate immune system. For me, identifying hidden food allergens/sensitivities, has provided amazing relief. Cyrex labs has a couple of essays that might prove really helpful in figuring out exactly which foods to avoid and get you off a potentially dangerous anticholinergic drug.

There is also a strong mind/gut connection. Some find the newer SSRIs helpful with GI issues (and more) and much safer with regards to AD prevention. Working on gut dysbiosis is also major here.
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KatieS
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Re: Sleep Apnea in E4

Post by KatieS »

From promethease.com,in the APOE section, the SNP rs405509 identified the risk of sleep apnea.

I just know that when my husband and I looked at my unwavering EEG during declining oxygen levels in the low 60s, we thought, "something is wrong with my brain". However, with CPAP the oxygen levels are 95 and above all night. Possibly the NYU study will find out that this apnea is just another marker of early AD, but I would rather think that treatment is healing my brain. Since treatment, the recurrent herpetic lip associated with mild headaches are gone.
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Re: Sleep Apnea in E4

Post by Julie G »

The more I look into it...the connection is fascinating, Kit. I'm guessing GG is the risk allele?
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KatieS
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Re: Sleep Apnea in E4

Post by KatieS »

Yes, Julie the rs405509 GG is associated with AD, but I don't think they have the full information on rs405509 as it relates to sleep apnea:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1765 ... t=Abstract
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Re: Sleep Apnea in E4

Post by Doctor Lost »

well, It was perscribed by my GI surgeon for my cranky bowel. AT does have a number of side effects, Hallucinations, tinnutus, and ectostatic hypoplasia, inn my experience, but I get 7-8 hrs of sleep a night. Without it I was sleeping 3-5 hrs a night and it has cured my hypertension, so I'm still thinking I'm better off with it.
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