Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Author Spotlight: Establishing MASLD Cell Models for Investigating Disease Mechanisms and the Lipid-Lowering Effects of Koumiss
Published on: July 19, 2024
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease as a risk factor for cognitive decline: Findings from the
Raphael Machado Castilhos1,2, Luís Gustavo Sampaio1, Natan Feter3
1Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Introduction:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has been linked to adverse brain outcomes. We aim to evaluate whether MASLD is associated with cognitive impairment/decline.
Methods:
We analyzed data from the Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil study). Global cognitive performance was assessed at baseline and follow-up. Associations between MASLD and cognition were tested using Poisson regression and linear mixed-effects models (LMMs).
Results:
MASLD was present in 13.6% (n = 918/6754) of participants at baseline. MASLD was not associated with incident cognitive impairment (Relative Risk: 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83-1.23; p = 0.91). In LMMs, in a fully adjusted model, MASLD was not associated with cognitive decline (estimate: 0.039; 95% CI: -0.109 to 0.031; p = 0.2721) but was associated with the memory domain at the baseline.
Discussion:
MASLD is not independently associated with cognitive impairment or cognitive decline in middle-aged adults.
Highlights:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is not independently associated with cognition in the longitudinal analysis. Hepatic steatosis is not independently associated with cognition. The effect on cognition is dependent on vascular and metabolic risk factors.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
Magnetic Declination
Conservation of Declining Populations
Cognitive Dissonance
Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Injurious Factors
In the antrum region, G cells secrete the gastrin hormone that binds to gastrin-cholecystokinin-B (CCK2) receptors on parietal and enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the fundic glands. Simultaneously, the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine, which binds...

