Study Reveals How Obesity and Heart Risks Impact Brain Health Differently in Men and Women

New Delhi: Obesity and cardiovascular risk factors contribute significantly to brain volume loss, with differences observed between men and women, according to research from the UK Biobank Study.

The study, led by Professor Joseph Nowell and colleagues at Imperial College London, provides important insights into the timing and extent of these impacts, offering a roadmap for preventing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

The research  published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry found that men experienced the greatest reduction in cortical grey matter volume due to cardiovascular risks, such as high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes, between the ages of 55 and 64. For women, the peak impact occurred a decade later, between 65 and 74 years. Both visceral and subcutaneous fat were linked to brain volume loss, with effects being more pronounced in men earlier in life and in women during later stages.

Professor Paul Edison, the study’s senior author, highlighted the implications of these findings. "Our study demonstrates that cardiovascular risk and obesity have sex-specific impacts on brain volume. Targeting these factors earlier in men, ideally before the age of 55, and later in women, from their mid-60s, could help prevent neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease."

One of the study’s key findings is that the effects of cardiovascular risks and obesity were significant regardless of the participants' APOE ε4 status, a gene strongly associated with Alzheimer’s disease. "This means that the detrimental impact on brain health is widespread and independent of genetic predisposition," said Professor Joseph Nowell, the lead author.

Using data from 34,425 participants aged 45 to 82, the researchers employed advanced neuroimaging techniques to examine changes in brain volume. These changes were analyzed in relation to cardiovascular risk scores and detailed fat distribution metrics derived from MRI scans. The results showed that temporal lobes—key regions for memory and cognition—were especially vulnerable.

Professor Edison emphasized the need for proactive strategies, noting, "This study provides a roadmap for identifying critical windows where interventions targeting obesity and cardiovascular risk can have the most substantial impact. This is particularly important for preserving brain health and delaying the onset of dementia."

The study underlines the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors like obesity and cardiovascular health through personalized, sex-specific approaches. By pinpointing the optimal times for interventions, the findings offer new hope for reducing the burden of neurodegenerative diseases.

Professor Edison concluded, "Preventing cardiovascular risks not only reduces the likelihood of heart disease but also has profound implications for maintaining cognitive health. The time to act is now—especially for men in their 50s and women in their 60s."