A neurologist has issued a stark warning about a common sleep habit, claiming it could “harm” the brain and increase the risk of dementia. Dr Baibing Cheng, known online as Dr Bing, highlighted excessive snoring as a potential cause of damage to blood vessels, leading to silent strokes and a higher likelihood of developing dementia.
In a video shared on TikTok, Dr Cheng explained that loud or frequent snoring may indicate sleep apnoea, a condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep. “This cuts off oxygen to your brain over and over again, leading to tiny injuries in your blood vessels,” he said. These injuries are linked to silent strokes and an elevated risk of dementia.
MRI studies have shown that frequent snorers can lose grey matter in brain regions controlling memory and thinking, such as the hippocampus. Dr Cheng noted that snoring can also disrupt deep sleep, particularly the N3 stage essential for feeling refreshed, even if the person does not remember waking up. Over time, this can lead to slower thinking and difficulty concentrating.
Scientific research supports these claims. A 2021 study published in the journal Sleep found that people with sleep apnoea had high levels of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Study author Professor Stephen Robinson from RMIT University said, “We know that if you have sleep apnoea in mid-life, you’re more likely to develop Alzheimer’s when you’re older.”
The NHS advises seeing a GP if you experience symptoms of sleep apnoea, such as loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, or excessive daytime sleepiness. It warns that sleep apnoea can be serious if left undiagnosed and untreated.
