In people who are at risk of dementia later on due to an unhealthy lifestyle, visible damage to the brain can be observed at an early stage. This is shown by research by Maastricht UMC+.
The hospital came to this conclusion on the basis of questionnaires and brain scans of 4164 participants in the Maastricht Study. This is a large-scale study in the region into the causes and consequences of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.
The fact that brain damage is visible earlier is not good news at first. However, there is a positive side to the story. “People can do something about those bad omens,” said Sebastian Köhler, associate professor.
For example, one can reduce the risk of dementia at a certain age. “If you have a high-risk profile at 55, you can lower your dementia risk by, for example, stopping smoking or choosing a healthier diet. We expect that you can also prevent further damage to your brain and cognitive problems.”
The results of the study are published in Neurology, a medical science journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
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