Dementia, a disease that affects 10% of older adults, remains one of the most devastating conditions for both sufferers and their families.
Although there is still no cure, early diagnosis can make a crucial difference, allowing patients to follow treatment plans and families to better prepare.
In this quest to identify risk factors, a recent study has shed light on an unconventional indicator: the size of the temporal muscles, which are linked to the jaw.
Presented at the Radiological Society of North America meeting, the study analyzed data from 621 cognitively healthy people from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.
Using magnetic resonance imaging, lThe researchers measured the participants’ temporal muscles and classified them according to their size. Over a nearly six-year follow-up, they tracked dementia diagnoses and changes in the brain, cognition, and overall functioning.
The findings were compelling: Those with smaller temporalis muscles faced a 60% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. Furthermore, the reduction in the size of these muscles was associated with memory loss, smaller brain volume, and decreased functional abilities. These results reinforce growing evidence that muscle health is key to cognitive well-being.
The relationship between muscle loss and cognitive decline is not new
In 2022, a study published in JAMA Network Open revealed that low muscle mass was linked to an accelerated decline in executive function, a set of skills crucial for planning and organizing. Other work has connected the loss of skeletal muscle mass with increased risks of dementia, highlighting the importance of preserving physical health in old age.
Ryan Glatt, senior brain health coach and director of the FitBrain Program at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California, noted that This connection between muscle loss and dementia could be related to a condition called sarcopenia, which involves the loss of muscle mass and strength with age.
Glatt explained that sarcopenia is often associated with frailty, limited mobility and metabolic dysfunction, all factors related to cognitive decline.
Although the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, Glatt stressed that muscle loss likely reflects broader processes that affect brain health.
“Muscle shrinkage can be a significant warning sign, especially if it worsens with age,” he said. Furthermore, he mentioned that this could be due to a combination of factors such as poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle and systemic inflammation.
Prevention, according to experts, is key to mitigating these risks. Incorporating resistance training, maintaining a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical activity are essential strategies for maintaining muscle mass and potentially protecting cognitive function.
In addition to muscle loss, Other risk factors for dementia include poor physical health, history of stroke, diabetes, obesity at age 60, and lack of physical activity. Likewise, behavioral patterns such as the absence of hobbies, alcohol abuse or even certain genetic traits can influence risk.
Researchers have also identified strategies that could help reduce the risk of dementia. These include taking care of cardiovascular health, doing at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly, maintaining an active social life, learning new things daily and avoiding vitamin deficiencies. Even small changes, like Stimulating the senses, protecting the head from injuries and turning off screens before bed could have a positive impact.
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