New research reveals a connection between muscle loss and heightened risks of cognitive decline and dementia.
These studies on muscle loss in older adults will be presented at a radiology conference in Chicago this year.
Sarcopenia, the age-related decline in overall muscle mass, is a natural part of aging. After 50, people typically lose 1-2% of their muscle mass annually. Experts estimate that 5-13% of seniors aged 60-70 experience sarcopenia, with this figure potentially rising to 50% for those over 80.
Sarcopenia significantly increases fracture risk, and given that skeletal muscles secrete various hormones, it can also lead to endocrine system complications.
The study involved 621 dementia-free participants with an average age of 77.3 years. Using MRI scans, researchers measured participants’ temporalis muscles and divided them into two groups based on muscle size. Of the 621 participants, 131 had larger temporalis muscles, while 488 had smaller ones.
Researchers accounted for various factors that could influence dementia risk, including age, gender, education level, and brain size.
Over an average follow-up period of 5.8 years, individuals with smaller temporalis muscles showed a higher risk of dementia. These participants scored lower on cognitive tests and exhibited significant reductions in overall brain size, including areas such as the hippocampus and temporal lobe cortex.
The research team emphasized that sarcopenia can be effectively addressed through regular exercise and adequate protein intake.
They concluded that muscle loss is associated with an increased risk of dementia, underscoring the importance of appropriate interventions to combat muscle reduction in older adults.
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