- Researchers report that cognitive function in midlife may provide insight into brain health later in life.
- They say that maintaining physical health by adopting lifestyle habits such as smoking cessation, regular exercise, eating well, and participating in social activities can improve brain health.
- They point out that keeping the cardiorespiratory system healthy is essential for brain health.
Cognitive function and health status during midlife (ages 40 to 65) may hold clues about brain health later in life, a researcher says.
In their findings, the researchers suggest that midlife is understudied and that more research should focus on this period of life.
During midlife, the brain undergoes significant molecular, cellular, and structural changes that are associated with cognitive decline, a process that accelerates in midlife.
Researchers say these individual changes may explain why cognitive aging differs from person to person.
During middle age, changes may also occur in the volume of structures within the brain. For example, the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and learning, may shrink and its abilities may change.
“Two solid findings about the 'middle-aged' brain are that the hippocampus (a brain region important for memory) shrinks more rapidly and the volume of white matter (the connections between brain cells and brain regions) decreases. It's decreasing,” Yvonne Nolan said. said study author Sebastian Dome-Hanse, professor of anatomy and neuroscience at College Cork University in Ireland and a doctoral student at the university. Today's medical news In a joint statement.
Examining changes in brain health during midlife and screening for risk of future cognitive decline could lead to early detection and treatment of diseases such as dementia, experts say. It has said.
Early treatment is more effective and may open up additional approaches and treatment options.
“As the world's population continues to age, the fields of geriatrics and longevity are increasingly focused on optimizing brain health and primary prevention,” says Geriatrician at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. says Dr. Mike Golenchtein. He is involved in research.
“A deeper understanding of these neurophysiological pathways will enhance screening and diagnosis of early stages of cognitive decline (before the onset of dementia) and inform knowledge about lifestyle interventions to optimize brain health. This could potentially expand and pave the way for new treatments for dementia,” said Golenchtein. Today's medical news.
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol intake, and diet are associated with brain aging.
There is evidence that changes in other parts of the body may predict brain health and function.
For example, the review notes that midlife can accelerate changes in gait, reaction time, memory, white matter integrity, and neuroinflammation. Experts say all of this may have implications for cognitive function later in life.
“This research is refreshing and allows health care providers and patients to address brain health earlier rather than later,” said the author of the Brain Health and Lifestyle Program in Aging at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in California. said Chanel Cassis Elhelou, MD, a research associate in psychology and neuropsychology who was not involved. In this study.
“Research on midlife brain health is invaluable because it reveals important factors that influence cognitive function and overall well-being during this crucial stage of life,” Elhelou said. Ta. Today's medical news. “Continued research in this area may lead to the development of targeted interventions and public health efforts aimed at promoting optimal brain health.”
“Brain health in midlife may provide valuable insight into brain health later in life,” Elhelou added. “A growing body of research is linking lifestyle choices and overall health to cognitive function in later life.” The lifestyle habits you develop can have long-term effects on your brain health. Additional research has found the following factors related to learning:
Experts say exercise may promote healthy cognitive aging.
“We found that physical exercise during midlife slows hippocampal shrinkage and improves white matter connectivity,” Nolan and Dohmhanse said. Today's medical news. “Running exercise is beneficial for brain plasticity, especially as seen in animal studies. For example, it is well known that it increases the generation of new brain cells in the hippocampus, which is important for proper memory function. . Prolonged aerobic exercise has been shown to improve memory in both animals and humans.”
But researchers believe more research is still needed.
“Large meta-analyses of human exercise interventions, at least in adulthood, have yielded mixed results regarding effects on cognitive function,” the researchers said. “However, this may be because exercise intervention studies tend to be conducted in very different ways, especially given the changes that occur in brain structure and function throughout the lifespan. It is difficult to find significant health-promoting effects.
The relationship between exercise and cognitive health is unclear.
For example, the researchers said:
However, Dr. Nolan and Dr. Dohmhanse said, “We need to encourage a physically active lifestyle, as it is known to have many beneficial effects throughout the body.”
“Future studies with standardized designs may support that it is as good for the brain and mind as it is for the rest of the body,” the researchers added.
“Although there are no widely accepted biomarkers to stratify dementia risk in fully cognitively normal middle-aged people, midlife offers an opportunity for true active primary prevention. There is no question that we will deliver,” Elhelou said. “Brain health in midlife, like other important physiological parameters, can provide clues about predicted cognitive function and overall health over time. Many of these indicators It is still correctable with style and (if necessary) treatment.”
The study authors note that the biological aging of organs in the body influences the aging of other organs. For example, aging of the heart and lungs can affect the rate at which the brain ages.
“According to Nolan and Dohmhanse, poor cardiorespiratory fitness is likely to negatively impact the brain and accelerate aging. It's important to maintain healthy blood pressure through physical activity, limiting alcohol intake, and a healthy diet rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, as it is closely related to the health of the rest of your body and plants. Chemicals are important for healthy brain aging. ”
“There is also some evidence to suggest that maintaining cognitive and social activity during the transition from middle age to old age is beneficial for healthy brain aging,” the researchers continued. “People who self-report spending more time with friends and family and engaging in physical and mental activities tend to have better mental and cognitive health. Work, volunteering There is also evidence to suggest that a sense of purpose in life, such as deriving meaning from activities such as physical activity, mental engagement, and creative activities, has a positive impact on brain health.”
