Cardiovascular risk factors and obesity are linked to a decline in brain volume, with the most pronounced effects observed between the ages of 55 and 64 in men and 65 and 74 in women, a study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry has revealed.

The research, led by Joseph Nowell and colleagues at Imperial College London, analyzed data from 34,425 participants aged 45 to 82 years, drawn from the U.K. Biobank. Using T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the researchers evaluated changes in whole-brain gray matter volume across the age spectrum.

Gender-Specific Patterns of Brain Volume Loss

The study uncovered striking age and gender differences in how cardiovascular risks and obesity impact brain health. For men, the greatest reduction in gray matter volume was observed between the ages of 55 and 64, while for women, the most significant effect was seen a decade later, between 65 and 74 years. The findings held true for both carriers and noncarriers of the APOE ε4 gene, a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

A Call to Action: Early Prevention

The authors emphasized the importance of addressing cardiovascular risk factors early to mitigate the risk of neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. "Targeting cardiovascular risk and obesity a decade earlier in males than females may be imperative for achieving therapeutic benefits in preventing neurodegeneration," the researchers wrote.

The findings underscore the potential of cardiovascular risk management as a strategy to combat Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.

One of the authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry, but the study remains a critical step in understanding how lifestyle and health factors influence brain aging.

This research highlights the need for tailored interventions that account for gender and age-specific vulnerabilities, offering a path forward in the fight against cognitive decline.