A new study from Dr. Marta Kaminska suggests that treating obstructive sleep apnea with Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy may help improve cognitive function in people with Parkinson’s disease. Published in the journal SLEEP, this research provides evidence that PAP therapy could play a role in managing neurodegeneration-related symptoms and may even have a protective effect on brain health. Since Parkinson’s disease currently has no treatments to slow or prevent cognitive decline, detecting and treating sleep apnea could become an important strategy for improving patient care.
The COPE-PAP trial, the longest clinical study of its kind in a neurodegenerative disorder, followed participants for six months to assess whether PAP therapy could mitigate cognitive decline. Results showed that individuals who adhered to the therapy experienced improved cognitive function and other symptom relief associated with Parkinson’s disease. While not all patients may be able to use PAP therapy, these findings suggest it could be an important tool for neurologists in managing Parkinson’s. Researchers believe the study’s insights could also apply to other neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders, though further research is needed to confirm these benefits in broader patient populations.
Read the Publication
Cognition and obstructive sleep apnea in Parkinson’s disease: randomized controlled trial of positive airway pressure (COPE-PAP trial). Lajoie AC, Lafontaine AL, Kimoff RJ, Benedetti A, Robinson AR, Létourneau M, Crane J, Scanga A, Noel F, Kaminska M. Sleep. 2025 Feb 13:zsaf038.
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PAP therapy may improve cognitive function in Parkinson’s disease. Research highlights potential cognitive and symptom improvements in Parkinson’s patients through treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy. The Institute News. March 13, 2025