Khaberni - A new study has shown that brain health depends not only on age progression but also is affected by metabolic health such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight, via two biologically independent pathways in the brain.
The study, which analyzed over 3,000 brain images, indicates that biological aging and metabolic changes each follow a separate path in affecting the brain. While natural aging is associated with structural changes in the brain with advancing age, metabolic disorders affect the brain in a different way, primarily linked to blood flow to it.
The researchers found that these two pathways are independent of each other, meaning that a person may be young in age, but show brain changes similar to those seen in older individuals if their metabolic health is poor. These changes were also linked to a decline in everyday cognitive abilities, especially in tasks requiring mental flexibility and the ability to adapt to changes. This correlation was clearer in women.
Aging affects the brain through structural changes, such as thinning of the cerebral cortex and inefficient vascular efficiency, leading to slow blood flow. On the other hand, the metabolic pathway results from a set of interrelated factors such as increased weight, high blood pressure, and lipid disorders, which together reduce blood flow to the brain.
In an attempt to understand the relationship between the body and the brain more precisely, the researchers analyzed data from two large groups: one consisting of 597 participants from the Human Connectome Project - Aging, ranging in age from 36 to 100 years, and the other including more than 3,000 participants from the UK Biobank, ranging in age from 51 to 83 years. The team used advanced statistical analysis to uncover the links between general health indicators and brain data.
The results showed that brain health is influenced by two separate axes: one linked to aging, and another linked to metabolic health. Each affects the brain differently, as aging is associated with general structural changes, while poor metabolic health directly affects blood flow to the brain.
The researchers point out that the significance of this discovery lies in the fact that the metabolic health axis can be controlled, unlike aging. While it is not possible to stop aging, factors such as weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol can be improved, which might help protect the brain and preserve its functions.
The study suggests that future research may reveal deeper links between the body and the brain beyond metabolic factors alone, but it also confirms that metabolic health is not only linked to the heart but also plays an important role in brain health and cognitive abilities.
