A new study, published in the journal Aging, reveals that maintaining a healthy weight may help preserve brain vascular health in older adults. Researchers found that cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT), two key markers of brain health, decline with age. These declines are associated with cognitive deterioration and loss of independence, a growing concern as the global population ages rapidly.
The research team, comprising experts from the University of Birmingham, University of Agder, and University of Nottingham, examined 78 healthy adults aged 60 to 81. The study aimed to identify modifiable factors that could influence CBF and ATT, particularly in older adults. Key health markers such as cardiorespiratory fitness, handgrip strength, grey matter volume, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure were assessed to understand their relationship with brain vascular health.
The study’s findings revealed that higher BMI was associated with reduced global CBF and increased ATT, suggesting that excess weight could contribute to poorer brain circulation. As ATT also increased with age, maintaining a healthy BMI emerged as a potential way to mitigate age-related declines in brain vascular function.
Lead researchers noted that while higher cardiorespiratory fitness was linked to longer ATT in certain brain regions, neither CBF nor ATT were directly connected to cognitive measures such as processing speed or memory in this study.
The study concludes that managing weight effectively may play a vital role in slowing age-related declines in brain vascular health, contributing to overall cognitive well-being and independence in older adults.
Related topics:
TikTok Faces Lawsuits Over Teen Mental Health Crisis
How To Get Rid Of Brain Fog: Causes And Treatment
Global Health Care Sustainability Efforts Falling Short, Study Finds
