Biomarkers of Dementia in Chronic Sleep and Breathing Disorders
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and overlap syndrome are associated with obstructions in breathing and disturbed sleep. Chronic breathing disruptions and poor sleep may lead to cognitive impairment and brain changes linked with early neurodegenerative processes. As such, identifying early markers of cognitive impairment and dementia risk in individuals with chronic respiratory and sleep breathing disorders is crucial for understanding how these diseases may contribute to accelerated brain ageing. This study will comprehensively measure sleep, lung function, cognitive performance and blood-based markers of dementia risk and inflammation. The investigators will use innovative technologies to identify biomarkers of cognitive impairment and dementia risk in people with chronic sleep and breathing disorders. The investigators will also investigate the relationships between disrupted sleep and abnormal breathing and the brain. This research may also inform future early interventions to improve cognition and brain health in chronic sleep and respiratory disease.
⁃ Control:
• Males and females;
• Aged 40-65 years;
• Able to give informed consent;
• Able to perform neuropsychological and cognitive testing;
• Fluent in English.
⁃ OSA:
• Males and females;
• Aged 40-65 years;
• Oximetry confirmed moderate to severe OSA based on the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) ≥15/hr;
• Able to give informed consent;
• Ability to perform neuropsychological and cognitive testing;
• Fluent in English.
⁃ COPD:
• Males and females;
• Aged 40-65 years;
• COPD confirmed by diagnosis or a positive lung function test (GOLD 2 minimum, FEV1
• ≥50%, \< 80% predicted; FEV1/FVC \< 0.7);
• 10-pack year smoking history;
• Able to perform neuropsychological and cognitive testing;
• Fluent in English.
⁃ Overlap Syndrome:
• Males and females;
• Aged 40-65 years;
• Oximetry confirmed moderate to severe OSA based on the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) ≥15/hr;
• COPD confirmed by diagnosis or a positive lung function test (GOLD 2 minimum, FEV1
• ≥50%, \< 80% predicted; FEV1/FVC \< 0.7);
• 10-pack year smoking history;
• Able to perform neuropsychological and cognitive testing;
• Fluent in English.