Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with deterioration of memory and cognition due to changes in brain areas important for these functions. The majority of AD patients also suffer multiple episodes of breathing cessations (apneas) during sleep. AD-related sleep apnea may be associated with the decline of brainstem centers that control breathing and chemoflex function. The nucleus tracts solitairii (nTS) is a key region for respiratory control and any AD-related deterioration of this nucleus critically impacts function.