Scientists have previously shown health in mid-life affects your risk of poor brain health in later years but Oxford University researchers have now found evidence that the seeds may be sown much earlier
Being a couch potato during childhood could increase your risk of dementia in old age, new research suggests.
Scientists have previously shown health in mid-life affects your risk of poor brain health in later years but Oxford University researchers have now found evidence that the seeds may be sown much earlier. The academics looked at blood pressure and BMI when children were aged seven to 17, their physical activity levels when they were aged 11 to 15 and brain scans from young adulthood when they were around 20 years old.
The scientists found that markers of poorer cardiovascular health – such as higher childhood blood pressure and faster growth of BMI across teenage years – were associated with differences in the structure of a type of brain tissue called grey matter, including its thickness and surface area. The links were particularly evident in brain regions that are known to be affected in dementia in old age.
Lead author Associate Professor Sana Suri from Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry, said: “Our research shows that cardiovascular health in the earliest stages of life may already be important for the structure of brain regions known to be affected in dementia in old age – much earlier than previously thought. The findings suggest that we should be thinking about targeting modifiable lifestyle risk factors, such as obesity and exercise, decades before current lifespan models of dementia suggest.”
The new study, published in the journal eBioMedicine, in collaboration with University College London, tracked 860 participants in the long-term Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Researchers said their findings provide “preliminary evidence” that dementia risks could be identified earlier in life and called for more research into “preventative measures”. Lead author Associate Professor Sana Suri added: “The early adolescent years merit greater consideration in the context of dementia prevention.”
Commenting on the paper, Dr Richard Oakley, associate director at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. Although no single behaviour is guaranteed to prevent dementia, we do know there are things you can do to reduce your own risk.
“Certain factors, such as being overweight and lack of exercise between the ages of 40 to 65, are known to be linked to a higher risk of developing dementia later in life. However, this study found that where being overweight, lack of exercise, and high blood pressure were present in early life, there were changes in the brain regions that could contribute to developing dementia, suggesting that it’s never too early to make healthy changes to reduce your dementia risk.”
David Thomas, head of policy and public affairs at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This study suggests that not looking after our hearts even in adolescence could lead to changes in the brain later on in life, which may influence the risk of developing dementia. Up to 45% of dementia cases can be prevented by avoiding risk factors that we can influence, such as physical inactivity and smoking. These are habits that some people pick up in early life, without knowing the potential long-term consequences for their brain health.”
