Brain health of men with heart risks decline faster than women
1. Researchers say factors such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension and smoking have been associated with dementia
A new study has revealed that men with heart risk factors experience a faster decline in brain health compared to women with similar issues.
Research published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry shows that men’s brains begin to deteriorate as early as their mid-50s, while women experience the same decline starting in their mid-60s.
“These results suggest that mitigating cardiovascular risk is an important therapeutic target in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and indicate that this should be addressed a decade earlier in males than in females,” said the study's lead researcher, Paul Edison, in comments to UPI.
The study notes that heart disease risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking, have long been linked to an increased risk of dementia. However, it has not been clear when these cardiovascular risks begin to affect brain health or whether there are gender differences in this regard.
The research team analyzed data from nearly 34,500 participants in the UK Biobank and used imaging scans to monitor changes in brain health over time. They then calculated the participants' heart disease risks based on their health data.
The findings showed that heart risk factors, including obesity and high levels of belly fat, led to a gradual loss of brain volume over the decades in both men and women. However, for men, this decline began between the ages of 55 and 74, while for women, it started between 65 and 74.
Additionally, the researchers emphasized that men may be at a higher risk than women.
“Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, deserve special attention in the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s,” the team noted. “This highlights the importance of aggressively addressing cardiovascular risk factors before the age of 55 to prevent neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as to prevent other cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.”
