P4-276: A Case of Apparently Reversible Alzheimer's Disease

    July 2012 in “ Alzheimer s & Dementia ”
    Emily Clionsky, Mitchell Clionsky
    TLDR Effective sleep apnea treatment may reverse cognitive decline in Alzheimer's.
    The document presented a case of a 57-year-old Navy veteran with multiple health issues, including chronic depression, PTSD, and untreated sleep apnea, who initially showed signs of Mild Cognitive Impairment and early Alzheimer's changes. Despite nonadherence to memory medications, the patient's cognitive function improved over time, particularly after the initiation of CPAP therapy for sleep apnea in October 2008. By May 2010, FDG-PET scans indicated an "improved Alzheimer's type pattern," and by August 2010, neuropsychological testing showed normal cognition. The patient reported improvements in cognition, energy, and interests, highlighting the potential reversibility of cognitive decline with effective management of sleep apnea.
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