The accumulation of fat in the arteries at the age of 50 slows down brain metabolism and increases the risk of dementia. This is what reveals a Spanish-American study, which recalls the importance of prevention.
Protect your heart and arteries as soon as possible
Preventing the onset of cardiovascular disease around your 50s could delay or even prevent brain damage that could lead to dementia a few years later, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. In fact, researchers realized that a high cardiovascular risk around the age of 50 was associated with cerebral hypermetabolism, an area that is primarily affected in Alzheimer’s disease. Atherosclerosis, which refers to the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances inside and outside the walls of the arteries, is the main cause of the vast majority of cardiovascular disease, and the leading cause of death in the world. Dementia currently affects more than 50 million people around the world.
Atherosclerosis increases the risk of dementia
“The presence of atherosclerosis has been linked to cognitive impairment in later stages of the disease, but little is known about their mutual influence, especially since both can be asymptomatic for long periods earlier in life. », Report the researchers. To reach this conclusion, the scientists analyzed 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) deposition emission tomography (PET) images of 547 people. Their objective was to determine the association between brain metabolism, subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors in asymptomatic adults in their 50s. According to the scientists, these results highlight the need to reduce cardiovascular risk factors as early as possible in order to decrease the risk of cognitive dysfunction at an older age.
