Leading neurologist warns snoring may raise risk of dementia and stroke

A neurologist who posts health videos on social media has warned that habitual snoring can raise the risk of dementia and stroke by repeatedly cutting off oxygen to the brain during sleep.

Dr. Baibing Chen, who posts as Dr. Bing on TikTok and has more than 158,000 followers, told viewers in a recent video that loud or nightly snoring can indicate that breathing is "starting and stopping during sleep." He said those interruptions "cut off oxygen to your brain over and over again leading to tiny injuries in your blood vessels," and added that "these injuries are linked to silent strokes and even higher risk of dementia down the road."

Chen said MRI studies have shown that habitual snoring and sleep-disordered breathing are associated with loss of grey matter in brain regions responsible for memory and thinking. "Snoring literally messes with your brain structure," he said, adding that "the more you snore the more these brain regions can shrink, like the hippocampus — which is very important for your memory." He also said the condition has been linked to slower thinking and difficulty concentrating during the day.

The neurologist distinguished habitual snoring from full-blown obstructive sleep apnea, a diagnosed disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep; he said the harm can appear even in people who do not have a formal sleep-apnea diagnosis if their snoring reflects repeated partial breathing interruptions.

Medical experts and prior research have linked sleep-disordered breathing with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems, including elevated risk of stroke. Chen's comments emphasize the potential cognitive consequences of repeated low-oxygen events and microvascular injury to the brain that may occur with persistent snoring.

Clinicians commonly evaluate suspected sleep-disordered breathing using patient history and overnight monitoring when warranted, and may refer patients for further assessment by sleep specialists or neurologists. People who are concerned about habitual snoring or daytime cognitive symptoms are advised to discuss them with a healthcare provider to determine whether further testing is appropriate.

Chen's remarks add to ongoing public-health conversations about sleep quality and brain health, highlighting that symptoms often dismissed as a nuisance for bed partners can have broader medical significance. Researchers continue to study the mechanisms linking sleep-disordered breathing to cognitive decline and stroke risk, and medical societies recommend clinical assessment when snoring is loud, frequent or accompanied by daytime sleepiness, witnessed breathing pauses or other symptoms suggestive of disrupted sleep.