“Dr. Amen and collaborators provide compelling evidence that obesity alters blood supply to the brain to shrink the brain and promote Alzheimer’s disease. ”
COSTA MESA, Caliph. – Health experts say that about half of American adults are overweight or obese. While being overweight has been linked to a number of serious health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, a new study shows that it can also reduce blood flow to the brain. Researchers warn that this could put obese individuals at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
The study examined brain blood flow in 17,721 adults between the ages of 18 and 94. To do this, researchers used a brain imaging technique known as single Photon Emission Compute Tomography (SPECT).
SPECT is a technique in which doctors inject a radioactive tracer into a patient’s blood and then use a special camera to monitor the flow of blood. Participants were then divided into five categories: underweight, normal weight, overweight, obesity, and morbidly obese – to examine blood flow in each of their brains. The brain scan data show lower blood flow across virtually all brain regions as body weight increases.
These findings have important implications for learning and memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Low blood flow to the brain is a strong predictor of future cases of Alzheimer’s. The study also finds particularly strong links between body weight and blood flow in various brain regions known to be affected by Alzheimer’s disease. These areas include the temporal and parietal lobes, hippocampus, posterior cingulate gyrus, and precuneus.
An effect of a healthy body on the brain
“One of the most important lessons we’ve learned through 30 years of conducting functional brain imaging research is that brains can be improved if you place them in a healthy environment by adopting brain habits, such as a healthy calorie-dense diet and regular exercise, ”says lead author Dr. George Amen in a media release.
“Dr. Amen and collaborators provide compelling evidence that obesity alters blood supply to the brain to shrink the brain and promote Alzheimer’s disease. This is a big step forward because it directly proves how the brain responds to our body, “adds George Perry, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. Symptoms typically appear after the age of 60 and the risks increase as you get older. The CDC adds nearly 43 percent of American adults over 60 are obese.
The study is published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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