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New research suggests that preserving muscle mass may play a key role in reducing the risk of dementia, particularly in older adults. The study, led by Marilyn Albert, a neurology professor at Johns Hopkins University, found that older individuals with smaller skeletal muscles were about 60% more likely to develop dementia, even after adjusting for other risk factors. These findings were presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago.
Skeletal muscle, which accounts for roughly one-third of body weight, naturally decreases with age. To explore how this muscle loss could impact brain health, Albert and her team focused on the temporalis muscle, a muscle involved in jaw movement. It is known that reductions in this muscle often reflect a broader loss of skeletal muscle throughout the body. By measuring the size of the temporalis muscle through brain scans of 619 participants, averaging 77 years old, the researchers found that smaller temporalis muscles were associated with a higher likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study also revealed that those with smaller temporalis muscles were at increased risk for memory problems, declines in daily functioning, and reduced brain volume. However, the study was observational, meaning it doesn’t prove that muscle loss directly causes dementia. Instead, it highlights a correlation between the two, and the results should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Dr. Shadpour Demehri, co-senior author and a radiology professor at Johns Hopkins, emphasized that individuals who notice a decline in muscle mass could take action to prevent further loss. Interventions such as strength training and dietary changes could help slow muscle reduction, potentially lowering the risk of cognitive decline and dementia in the long term.
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