New findings indicate that people living with untreated obstructive sleep apnoea face a significantly greater likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease. Yet, this risk can be meaningfully reduced by improving sleep quality through consistent use of continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. The research, published today in JAMA Neurology, analysed electronic health records from more than 11 million U.S. military veterans who received care through the Department of Veterans Affairs between 1999 and 2022. The project was carried out by investigators at Oregon Health & Science University in collaboration with the Portland VA Health Care System.
Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and various neurological functions, currently impacts an estimated one million people across the United States. Its prevalence increases gradually with age, particularly among those aged 60 and older. According to the study, people with untreated sleep apnoea appear to face a notably increased long-term risk of developing the condition. Even after adjusting for common confounding factors such as obesity, age and hypertension, researchers observed a strong association between unmanaged sleep apnoea and Parkinson’s. Among the millions of individuals documented with sleep apnoea, those who did not use CPAP therapy were found to be nearly twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s as those who adhered to treatment.
Co-author Gregory Scott, M.D., PhD, an assistant professor of pathology in the OHSU School of Medicine and a pathologist at the Portland VA, emphasised that while the findings do not imply an inevitable diagnosis, the elevated risk is substantial enough to warrant attention. Sleep apnoea is characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to reduced oxygen levels that can affect the proper functioning of neurons. Lead author Lee Neilson, M.D., an assistant professor of neurology at OHSU and a neurologist with the Portland VA, explained that years of nightly oxygen deprivation may cumulatively contribute to nervous system vulnerability. In contrast, regular CPAP use could provide a degree of resilience against neurodegeneration.
In light of these results, Neilson noted that he intends to place an even stronger emphasis on the importance of healthy sleep in his clinical practice, acknowledging that the study’s insights may shape how he advises patients in the future. Scott added that although some people with sleep apnoea struggle with or resist CPAP therapy, many veterans report life-changing improvements once they begin using the device. He highlighted their increased energy levels and overall sense of well-being, suggesting that awareness of a possible reduction in Parkinson’s risk may encourage more individuals with sleep apnoea to consider trying CPAP.
More information: Lee Neilson et al, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Positive Airway Pressure, and Implications of Early Treatment in Parkinson Disease, JAMA Neurology. DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.4691
Journal information: JAMA Neurology Provided by Oregon Health & Science University
