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Association between life's essential 8 and changes of brain structural features: A population-based prospective
1Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Brain Research Bulletin
|April 12, 2026
Summary
Maintaining good lifestyle behaviors and metabolic indicators, measured by the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score, is crucial for preserving brain health and preventing accelerated structural changes over time.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Lifestyle behaviors and metabolic indicators impact long-term brain health.
- Large-scale population evidence on this association is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score and brain structural changes.
- To analyze the impact of lifestyle and metabolic health on brain aging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized UK Biobank data from 3,736 participants with two MRI scans.
- Calculated the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score based on lifestyle and metabolic factors.
- Employed generalized linear and logistic regression models to assess associations with brain MRI features.
Main Results:
- Lower LE8 scores correlated with accelerated brain structural changes (volume, cortical thickness, surface area).
- Individuals with lower LE8 scores showed increased white matter lesions in deep and periventricular regions.
- Specific changes included reduced left total surface area and altered cortical thickness in the left lateral occipital cortex.
Conclusions:
- Better lifestyle behaviors and metabolic indicators are vital for optimal brain health.
- Maintaining a high LE8 score is associated with slower brain aging and reduced risk of neurodegeneration.
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