Poor vascular health linked to accelerated brain ageing

Using AI researchers at the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden analysed brain images from 70 year olds to estimate their brain’s biological age. The researchers found that factors detrimental to vascular health including inflammation and high glucose levels were associated with older looking brains and healthy lifestyles were linked to brains with a younger appearance.

The brain images were analysed along with blood samples measuring lipids, glucose levels and inflammation and the participants also carried out cognitive tests. Researchers also included data on participants lifestyles such as exercise habits and medical conditions. Diabetes, stroke, inflammation and cerebral small vessel disease were linked to brains with an older appearance whilst healthy lifestyles involving regular exercise was linked to brains of a younger appearance.

NOTE: The research is published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.