Maintaining healthy weight may support brain vascular health in aging population

This research paper highlights that brain health deteriorates with age, particularly in terms of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT), key markers of brain vascular health. This decline can impair cognitive function and limit independence in later life-;an issue that will affect many as the global population continues to age rapidly.

The researchers hypothesized that markers of superior general health-;such as higher cardiorespiratory fitness, handgrip strength, and grey matter volume, or lower age, BMI, and blood pressure-;would be associated with greater CBF and shorter ATT.

Results from multiple linear regressions revealed that a higher BMI was associated with lower global cerebral blood flow (CBF) (β = −0.35, P = 0.008) and longer global arterial transit time (ATT) (β = 0.30, P = 0.017). Additionally, global ATT increased with age (β = 0.43, P = 0.004), while higher cardiorespiratory fitness was linked to longer ATT in the parietal (β = 0.44, P = 0.004) and occipital (β = 0.45, P = 0.003) regions. However, neither global nor regional CBF or ATT were associated with processing speed, working memory, or attention.

"In conclusion, preventing excessive weight gain may help attenuate age-related declines in brain vascular health."

Source:

Aging-US

Journal reference: