A new study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has shown that obesity and high blood pressure may directly cause certain types of dementia rather than just increasing the risk of developing dementia.
The prospective cohort study included data from large populations in the United Kingdom and Denmark. A Mendelian randomization study design was used to assess whether body mass index (BMI) was a causal risk factor for vascular dementia within these populations. Additionally, the study sought to determine whether other health factors mediated the risk of developing vascular dementia, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, hyperlipidemia, and low-grade inflammation. Obesity has been previously associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, but the question of causality versus correlation has remained unclear. This study aimed to determine whether obesity might be a direct cause of dementia.
The results showed that high BMI and high blood pressure were direct causes of vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is a type of dementia caused by damage to blood vessels in the brain, which leads to less blood flow and oxygen reaching brain cells. This lack of oxygen and blood flow can cause cognitive issues such as slower thought, confusion, language issues, difficulty with planning, and memory loss. While previous studies had linked obesity and high blood pressure to a higher risk of dementia, this was the first study to show a causal effect.
The authors of the study noted that the treatment and prevention of obesity and high blood pressure may be an underutilized method for preventing dementia. Fortunately, both high BMI and high blood pressure are treatable conditions. Managing these conditions may help prevent the development of many chronic diseases, including dementia, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.
Sources: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Science Daily