Maintaining healthy weight may support brain vascular health in aging population

A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as “Aging (Albany NY)” and “Aging-US” by Web of Science), Volume 16, Issue 18 on September 18, 2024, entitled, “Determinants of cerebral blood flow and arterial transit time in healthy older adults.”

This research paper highlights that brain health deteriorates with age, particularly in terms of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT), key markers of brain vascular health. This decline can impair cognitive function and limit independence in later life-;an issue that will affect many as the global population continues to age rapidly.

In their paper, researchers Jack Feron, Katrien Segaert, Foyzul Rahman, Sindre H. Fosstveit, Kelsey E. Joyce, Ahmed Gilani, Hilde Lohne-Seiler, Sveinung Berntsen, Karen J Mullinger, and Samuel J. E. Lucas from the University of Birmingham, University of Agder, and University of Nottingham aimed to identify modifiable determinants of CBF and ATT in healthy older adults (n = 78, aged 60–81 years). They also investigated the relationship between CBF, ATT, and cognitive function in older adults. 

The researchers hypothesized that markers of superior general health-;such as higher cardiorespiratory fitness, handgrip strength, and grey matter volume, or lower age, BMI, and blood pressure-;would be associated with greater CBF and shorter ATT.

Results from multiple linear regressions revealed that a higher BMI was associated with lower global cerebral blood flow (CBF) (β = −0.35, P = 0.008) and longer global arterial transit time (ATT) (β = 0.30, P = 0.017). Additionally, global ATT increased with age (β = 0.43, P = 0.004), while higher cardiorespiratory fitness was linked to longer ATT in the parietal (β = 0.44, P = 0.004) and occipital (β = 0.45, P = 0.003) regions. However, neither global nor regional CBF or ATT were associated with processing speed, working memory, or attention.

“In conclusion, preventing excessive weight gain may help attenuate age-related declines in brain vascular health.”