Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025
10:13
Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
Published on: February 14, 2014
13.7K
Cardiometabolic disease, cognitive decline, and brain structure in middle and older age
Abigail Dove1, Jie Guo1, Jiao Wang2
1Aging Research Center Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society Karolinska Institutet Stockholm Sweden.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|April 10, 2024
Summary
Multiple cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) accelerate cognitive decline in older adults and negatively impact brain structure even in middle age. This highlights the crucial link between metabolic health and cognitive aging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Multiple cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are associated with increased dementia risk.
- The combined impact of CMDs on cognition and brain structure throughout life remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the number of CMDs and cognitive decline.
- To examine the relationship between CMDs and brain structural changes using MRI.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of UK Biobank data from 46,562 dementia-free participants.
- Cognitive testing at baseline and 9-year follow-up; brain MRI for 39,306 participants.
- Age-stratified analysis (middle vs. older age) using mixed-effects models and linear regression.
Main Results:
- Higher CMD burden correlated with steeper global cognitive decline in older adults (≥60 years).
- Multiple CMDs were linked to reduced total brain volume, gray matter, white matter, and hippocampal volume.
- Increased white matter hyperintensity volume was observed in participants with multiple CMDs, even in middle age (<60 years).
Conclusions:
- CMDs are associated with accelerated cognitive decline in older age.
- Poorer brain structural health, including reduced brain volumes and increased white matter hyperintensities, is linked to CMDs starting in middle age.
- Findings underscore the connection between cardiometabolic health and cognitive/brain aging.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
94
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
94
01:26Aging
49
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
49
01:30Dementia
113
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
113
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
468
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
468
01:19Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
28
Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
28
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
122
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
122