Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – Childhood and adolescent cardiovascular health issues may be tied to early changes in brain structure, especially in areas typically impacted by dementia later in life, according to a recent scientific study.
The researchers highlighted the fact that while obesity, high blood pressure, and lack of physical activity are established cardiovascular risk factors for midlife dementia, little is understood about how these connections between heart and brain health emerge earlier in life.
Researchers from the University of Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry, working with University College London and supported by the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre and Wellcome, analyzed data from over 860 children and adolescents aged 7 to 17. Their analysis included brain imaging, physical activity levels, blood pressure measurements, and Body Mass Index (BMI).
The study, published in eBioMedicine, identified a correlation between elevated BMI, higher blood pressure, reduced physical activity during adolescence, and changes in brain structure observed in young adulthood—a developmental stage marked by significant biological shifts.
These associations were particularly pronounced in brain areas vulnerable to dementia in older age, indicating that adopting healthier lifestyles early in life could play a critical role in safeguarding long-term brain health.
Holly Haines, who is the lead author on the paper, says “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 researchers discovered that indicators of poor cardiovascular health—such as elevated blood pressure during childhood and rapid BMI growth throughout adolescence—were linked to changes in the structure of grey matter, a type of brain tissue. These changes, including differences in thickness and surface area, were most evident in regions of the brain associated with memory and cognitive function. Similar connections between cardiovascular health and brain health have previously been observed in older individuals with dementia and memory impairments.
The team believes this research could play a crucial role in identifying and reducing dementia risks at an earlier stage of life. However, they emphasize the need for further studies involving more diverse participant groups to ensure the findings can be applied broadly.
Associate Professor Sana Suri from the University of Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry, a co-author of the study, indicated that their results suggest that they should address modifiable lifestyle factors, like obesity and physical activity, much earlier than current dementia models propose. The adolescent years deserve more attention as a critical window for dementia prevention.
The study gathered its data from the renowned Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a premier birth cohort investigation headquartered at the University of Bristol.
David Thomas, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Alzheimer’s Research UK, pointed out that the findings of this study indicate that neglecting heart health during adolescence could result in changes to the brain later in life, potentially affecting the likelihood of developing dementia.
He further indicated that approximately 45 percent of dementia cases could be avoided by addressing modifiable risk factors such as inactivity and smoking. These are behaviors that many individuals adopt early in life, often unaware of the significant long-term impact they may have on their brain health.
“Dementia is not just an inevitable part of aging. By supporting research like this study, we are gaining insights into how people might be able to prevent dementia happening in the first place, which is vital if we want to reach a cure for this devastating condition.”
The findings demonstrate an urgent need to focus healthy lifestyles from a very young age, as the consequences may have a long-term impact.
