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Obesity and Alzheimer's disease: a link between body weight and cognitive function in old age

Ebrahim K Naderali1, Stuart H Ratcliffe, Mark C Dale

  • 1Department of Health and Applied Social Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool, United Kingdom. naderae@hope.ac.uk

American Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease and Other Dementias
|October 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Obesity poses global health risks, impacting cardiovascular health and potentially contributing to cognitive decline. Further research is needed to fully understand the link between obesity and brain function.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Obesity is a significant global health concern with widespread negative effects on adult and child health.
  • Established links exist between obesity and cardiovascular issues, including insulin resistance, diabetes, and hypertension.
  • Emerging evidence suggests a potential role for obesity-related vascular changes in the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current data on the impact of obesity on cognitive function.
  • To explore potential mechanisms linking obesity to cognitive impairment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies and data.
  • Analysis of research on obesity, cardiovascular health, and cognitive performance.

Main Results:

  • Obesity negatively affects cardiovascular health, contributing to conditions like insulin resistance and hypertension.
  • Obesity's impact on cognitive function is increasingly recognized, though precise mechanisms require further elucidation.
  • Potential pathways include vascular defects, impaired insulin metabolism, and altered glucose transport in the brain.

Conclusions:

  • Obesity is a critical factor influencing cognitive function, likely through vascular and metabolic pathways.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate obesity-related cognitive decline.
  • Further research is essential to fully elucidate the complex relationship between adiposity and brain health.

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