Cardiovascular risk and obesity accelerate brain atrophy in men a decade before similar effects occur in women, potentially increasing dementia risk.
Cardiovascular health affects more than the heart—it shapes the brain. A recent study found that cardiovascular risk and obesity contribute to brain atrophy in men and women, with effects manifesting earlier in men.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 34,000 adults aged 45 to 82 enrolled in the UK Biobank study. They measured the participants' grey matter volume, assessed their cardiovascular risk, and calculated the fat volume under their skin and around their internal organs.
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They found that men experienced considerable grey matter volume losses linked to cardiovascular risk and obesity between ages 55 and 64. However, volume losses in women manifested a decade later, between ages 65 and 74. These patterns were evident regardless of whether participants carried the APOE4 gene, a key genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
These findings suggest that cardiovascular disease-related dementia risks manifest earlier in men, underscoring the importance of tailoring interventions based on sex. One of the mechanisms linking cardiovascular disease, obesity, and dementia is vascular dysfunction, which contributes to blood-brain barrier failure. Learn more about vascular dysfunction in this clip featuring Dr. Axel Montagne.