Grant: Catalyst Grant: Analysis of CLSA Data

Sleep disorders are a major issue affecting quality of life of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition causing obstruction of breathing passages during sleep. It is linked to fragmented sleep, reductions in blood oxygenation, daytime sleepiness and many other harmful consequences, like impaired cognitive function and dementia. PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the older population and sleep deterioration is a notable symptom. Both OSA and PD increase with age but the relationship between the two disorders has not been well studied to date. In this study we will use data collected as part of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to study relationships between OSA and PD. Our main objective is to determine if being at high risk for OSA is associated with greater cognitive dysfunction and with greater functional problems (such as walking ability and falls) in PD, and if g at high risk for OSA affects the progression of cognitive dysfunction and functional decline in PD over a period of 6 years. OSA is a treatable condition, but is often neglected in the context of a neurodegenerative disease of aging like PD. Results of this study may have important implications with respect to testing and treating OSA in PD and those at risk of PD.