[Sleep apnea syndrome and cognitive impairment].

The sleep apnoea syndrome is a common disorder, unrecognised in the elderly. Several studies have shown that it can cause or exacerbate cognitive impairment, mainly related to attention, memory and learning and adaptation abilities. However, continuous positive airway pressure treatment appears to be effective on these cognitive disorders, including in elderly patients.Accordingly, the sleep apnoea syndrome can be a conceivable diagnostic as part of the cognitive deterioration check-up in elderly patients.