Study: Obesity & Diabetes May Accelerate Dementia Onset in Men by Decade

New Delhi: Men with cardiovascular risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking may experience brain health decline leading to dementia up to a decade earlier than women, according to a recent study. The research, published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, highlights how these risks accelerate dementia onset, particularly in men aged from their mid-50s to mid-70s, compared to women, who are more vulnerable in their mid-60s to mid-70s.

The study, conducted by researchers from Imperial College London, examined data from 34,425 participants in the UK Biobank, aged between 45 and 82, with an average age of 63. Participants underwent both abdominal and brain scans to assess the impact of cardiovascular risk factors on brain health.

Findings revealed that men with cardiovascular disease risk factors suffer from significant brain volume loss in critical regions responsible for auditory processing, visual perception, memory, and emotional regulation. This damage was evident regardless of the presence of the APOE4 gene, a well-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that cardiovascular risks play a crucial role independently of genetic predisposition.

“The detrimental impact of cardiovascular risk was widespread throughout cortical regions, highlighting how cardiovascular risk can impair a range of cognitive functions,” noted the researchers.

The study showed that higher levels of abdominal fat and visceral adipose tissue in both men and women were associated with lower grey matter volume. Over time, these cardiovascular risks, along with obesity, were linked to a gradual decline in brain volume, underscoring the long-term damage they can inflict on cognitive health.

To combat this, the researchers emphasized the importance of addressing modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, early in life. Interventions targeting these factors before the age of 55 could potentially prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, as well as other cardiovascular complications, including heart attacks and strokes.

While the study is observational and does not establish a direct causal link, it underscores the need for early prevention and treatment strategies to protect brain health. Addressing cardiovascular risks early may not only slow or prevent dementia but also improve overall cardiovascular health outcomes.