"Uncovering the Crucial Link: Middle-Aged Brain Changes and Dementia Risk"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Conversation
The middle-aged brain undergoes rapid and significant changes, which may predict future health and cognitive decline, including dementia. Research suggests that the brain's aging process during middle age is characterized by accelerated changes in memory, brain structures, and white matter connections, impacting cognitive functions. Detecting early risk factors for cognitive decline during middle age could provide a window of opportunity for intervention. Studies show that inflammatory molecules in the blood of middle-aged adults can predict future cognitive change, highlighting the importance of biological age in assessing future health. Interventions such as physical exercise may help counter the effects of time on the brain.