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CNN
23-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
Metabolic syndrome is a big risk factor for early dementia, and what you do makes a difference, study suggests
How you manage a cluster of health conditions known as metabolic syndrome could have a big impact on whether you develop dementia at a young age, according to a new study. To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, a person must have three of the following conditions: a large waistline, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high blood triglycerides, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as HDL or 'good' cholesterol. People who had metabolic syndrome, or a combination of those components, were 24% more likely to develop dementia at a young age, the data showed. 'The key takeaway (of the study) is that metabolic syndrome significantly increases the risk of developing young-onset dementia,' which is dementia before age 65, said principal study investigator Dr. Minwoo Lee, in an email. 'Our findings highlight the importance of managing metabolic health early to potentially prevent dementia and maintain brain health.' The study analyzed data of nearly 2 million people from the Korean National Health Insurance Service who underwent health checkups. Researchers analyzed the markers of metabolic syndrome and who developed young-onset dementia between 2009 and the end of 2020, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal Neurology. 'Each component — such as elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels — is individually linked to higher dementia risk,' said Lee, assistant professor in the department of neurology at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital in South Korea. The finding suggests an increased risk for much of the US population, as about 1 in 3 adults in the United States have metabolic syndrome, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 'Dementia is among our most feared diseases, and developing dementia at an early age is even more worrisome,' said Dr. Richard Isaacson, a preventive neurologist and director of research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Boca Raton, Florida. He was not involved in the new study. 'People of all ages –– from the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond –– should be empowered to make brain-healthy choices early on,' Isaacson said. 'I think this study gives us more evidence to suggest that these brain-healthy choices may lead to better brain outcomes over time.' It is important to note that the study was observational, which means that researchers can't say that metabolic syndrome caused dementia, only that there was a correlation between the two, Isaacson said. 'I don't really think that vascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome causes Alzheimer's disease, but I think it can fast-forward someone towards it,' he said. More research will need to be done to determine whether treating metabolic syndrome actually delays the onset of dementia or reduces the number of cases, Isaacson said. Researchers will also need to look into more populations to see if the results from South Korea can be broadly applied. But the latest study does give hope that there are actions people can take to combat young-onset dementia, he said. 'Some people say young onset-dementia, you can't do anything about that –– it's preordained, but I don't agree with that. These lifestyle factors are nontrivial,' he added. Lee believes people can influence their odds. 'My advice is to proactively manage metabolic health by maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and routine medical check-ups,' he said. 'Addressing metabolic syndrome early can substantially reduce the risk of dementia later in life.' The conditions that make up metabolic syndrome may not seem immediately connected to dementia risk, but there are a few ways that vascular health can impact cognitive decline, Isaacson said. Metabolic syndrome can lead to inflammation, and 'when someone has inflammation in the body and in the brain, it can fast-forward aging,' Isaacson said. 'And when you have inflammation in the brain, things don't work as well.' Your blood vessels working efficiently is also important to cognitive health to keep enough oxygen flowing to the brain, he added. And finally, he noted that metabolic syndrome may affect the brain's ability to metabolize energy, which may lead to cognitive impairment. The different conditions that make up metabolic syndrome tend to happen together because they have similar causes and impact one another, he added. 'When a person is physically inactive and has an unhealthy diet … and someone is not sleeping and just kind of burning the candle at both ends … poor activity, low exercise: These are the medical or clinical manifestations of that sort of thing,' Isaacson said. 'That's why these risk factors often flock together — because they really are interrelated.' Because both genetic and lifestyle factors contribute to dementia cases, some people can do everything their doctor suggests and still get dementia, Isaacson said. But making healthy lifestyle changes and addressing metabolic syndrome may still prevent or delay dementia in many people, he added. Treatment for metabolic syndrome, which can also increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, starts with lifestyle changes, said Dr. Pam Taub, a preventive cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of California San Diego. She was not involved in the research. 'In general, the lifestyle recommendations that we recommend are really having a balanced Mediterranean diet, a diet that is balanced in terms of proteins, carbohydrates, and fiber, and also limiting the amount of calorie intake,' she added. Some of Taub's research into metabolic syndrome shows that time-restricted eating can help manage the conditions, she said. Maintaining regular physical activity is key, though the amount and the proportion of strength, cardio and flexibility training may be specific to you and discussed with your doctor, she said. Getting enough sleep and handling stress are also essential in managing almost every chronic condition, she added. 'Of course, we can't control the stress that's thrown at us, but it's how we modulate our response that is important,' Taub said. But lifestyle changes alone may not solve the problem completely, she said. Your doctor may recommend medications to help with blood pressure, blood sugar, insulin resistance, lipid lowering and weight management. 'It's really not one or the other,' Taub said. 'You have to synergize both lifestyle and pharmacology.'
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctors discover new cause of early-onset dementia... with a third of Americans in danger
Millions more Americans could be at risk of developing early-onset dementia after scientists discovered a possible new cause. Researchers from South Korea found having a little known condition known as metabolic syndrome raised the chances a person will develop early-onset dementia (a diagnosis before the age of 65) by 24 percent. Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when someone has three or more of the following: belly fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, or low levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol. But researchers found the risk climbed with every additional condition — people with all five had a 70 percent higher risk. Researchers didn't provide an explanation for the possible link, but obesity, high blood pressure, low HDL and high blood sugar - especially in people with diabetes - have all been linked to an increased risk of dementia. It is posited these conditions lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can potentially damage brain cells, as well as block blood flow to brain and reduce the body's ability to clear harmful waste. They may also contribute to the accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins - two substances strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease. Conversely, high triglyceride levels have actually been associated with a lower risk of dementia. Researchers said their findings were sobering, given the prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been increasing in recent decades. An exact number for metabolic syndrome diagnoses isn't known, but a 2020 study published in JAMA found about 37 percent of US adults were estimated to have metabolic syndrome in 2016, compared to 32 percent in 2011 - the most recent comparable figures available. At the same time, 640,000 Americans have early-onset dementia, a number that is also rising. And overall cases of the disease are also increasing. There were 514,000 new cases of dementia among Americans in 2020, but that will rise to 730,000 in 2030 and 1.03million in 2060. Researchers from Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital in Anyang, South Korea, reviewed health insurance data from 2million people between 40 and 60 years old. They analyzed records from doctors appointments that included waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar and triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Of those included in the study, published in the journal Neurology, 25 percent had metabolic syndrome. Over a follow-up period of eight years, nearly 9,000 people - 0.45 percent - developed some form of dementia before the age of 65. Data revealed women with metabolic syndrome were at a higher risk of early-onset dementia - 34 percent - compared to men - 15 percent. Additionally, people in their 40s were more at risk than people in their 50s. Currently nearly 8million Americans currently have some form of dementia and there are around 500,000 new cases diagnosed per year. Alzheimer's is the most common form - with 7million diagnoses - but as the aging population of the US continues to grow, so will diagnoses. By 2050, the number of Alzheimer's patients is projected to rise to nearly 13 million. While the main cause of the dementia is still debated, scientists believe the disease is likely to be the result of an abnormal build-up of proteins - amyloid and tau - in and around brain cells. In Alzheimer's patients, amyloid proteins are not effectively cleared from the body and eventually form plaques in the brain. Additionally, tau proteins detach from neurons and form tangles, causing neurons to die. When neurons die, messages can't be delivered as effectively throughout the brain, which scientists believe is what causes the thinking difficulties in dementia. Genetics also play a strong role in the risk of Alzheimer's and in 2022 researchers identified 31 new genes that appear to affect processes that play a role in the disease. There is no cure for dementia - only medications and therapies to control symptoms. To ward off metabolic syndrome, the researchers said people should follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking and reduce stress. And while this study has begun to look at the relationship between metabolic syndrome and early dementia, study author Dr Minwoo Lee said more needs to be done. He added: 'Future research that follows people over longer periods of time and uses brain scans to look for biomarkers of dementia is needed to confirm and expand upon our findings.'
CNN
23-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
Metabolic syndrome is a big risk factor for early dementia, and what you do makes a difference, study suggests
How you manage a cluster of health conditions known as metabolic syndrome could have a big impact on whether you develop dementia at a young age, according to a new study. To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, a person must have three of the following conditions: a large waistline, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high blood triglycerides, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as HDL or 'good' cholesterol. People who had metabolic syndrome, or a combination of those components, were 24% more likely to develop dementia at a young age, the data showed. 'The key takeaway (of the study) is that metabolic syndrome significantly increases the risk of developing young-onset dementia,' which is dementia before age 65, said principal study investigator Dr. Minwoo Lee, in an email. 'Our findings highlight the importance of managing metabolic health early to potentially prevent dementia and maintain brain health.' The study analyzed data of nearly 2 million people from the Korean National Health Insurance Service who underwent health checkups. Researchers analyzed the markers of metabolic syndrome and who developed young-onset dementia between 2009 and the end of 2020, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal Neurology. 'Each component — such as elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels — is individually linked to higher dementia risk,' said Lee, assistant professor in the department of neurology at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital in South Korea. The finding suggests an increased risk for much of the US population, as about 1 in 3 adults in the United States have metabolic syndrome, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 'Dementia is among our most feared diseases, and developing dementia at an early age is even more worrisome,' said Dr. Richard Isaacson, a preventive neurologist and director of research at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Boca Raton, Florida. He was not involved in the new study. 'People of all ages –– from the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond –– should be empowered to make brain-healthy choices early on,' Isaacson said. 'I think this study gives us more evidence to suggest that these brain-healthy choices may lead to better brain outcomes over time.' It is important to note that the study was observational, which means that researchers can't say that metabolic syndrome caused dementia, only that there was a correlation between the two, Isaacson said. 'I don't really think that vascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome causes Alzheimer's disease, but I think it can fast-forward someone towards it,' he said. More research will need to be done to determine whether treating metabolic syndrome actually delays the onset of dementia or reduces the number of cases, Isaacson said. Researchers will also need to look into more populations to see if the results from South Korea can be broadly applied. But the latest study does give hope that there are actions people can take to combat young-onset dementia, he said. 'Some people say young onset-dementia, you can't do anything about that –– it's preordained, but I don't agree with that. These lifestyle factors are nontrivial,' he added. Lee believes people can influence their odds. 'My advice is to proactively manage metabolic health by maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and routine medical check-ups,' he said. 'Addressing metabolic syndrome early can substantially reduce the risk of dementia later in life.' The conditions that make up metabolic syndrome may not seem immediately connected to dementia risk, but there are a few ways that vascular health can impact cognitive decline, Isaacson said. Metabolic syndrome can lead to inflammation, and 'when someone has inflammation in the body and in the brain, it can fast-forward aging,' Isaacson said. 'And when you have inflammation in the brain, things don't work as well.' Your blood vessels working efficiently is also important to cognitive health to keep enough oxygen flowing to the brain, he added. And finally, he noted that metabolic syndrome may affect the brain's ability to metabolize energy, which may lead to cognitive impairment. The different conditions that make up metabolic syndrome tend to happen together because they have similar causes and impact one another, he added. 'When a person is physically inactive and has an unhealthy diet … and someone is not sleeping and just kind of burning the candle at both ends … poor activity, low exercise: These are the medical or clinical manifestations of that sort of thing,' Isaacson said. 'That's why these risk factors often flock together — because they really are interrelated.' Because both genetic and lifestyle factors contribute to dementia cases, some people can do everything their doctor suggests and still get dementia, Isaacson said. But making healthy lifestyle changes and addressing metabolic syndrome may still prevent or delay dementia in many people, he added. Treatment for metabolic syndrome, which can also increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, starts with lifestyle changes, said Dr. Pam Taub, a preventive cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of California San Diego. She was not involved in the research. 'In general, the lifestyle recommendations that we recommend are really having a balanced Mediterranean diet, a diet that is balanced in terms of proteins, carbohydrates, and fiber, and also limiting the amount of calorie intake,' she added. Some of Taub's research into metabolic syndrome shows that time-restricted eating can help manage the conditions, she said. Maintaining regular physical activity is key, though the amount and the proportion of strength, cardio and flexibility training may be specific to you and discussed with your doctor, she said. Getting enough sleep and handling stress are also essential in managing almost every chronic condition, she added. 'Of course, we can't control the stress that's thrown at us, but it's how we modulate our response that is important,' Taub said. But lifestyle changes alone may not solve the problem completely, she said. Your doctor may recommend medications to help with blood pressure, blood sugar, insulin resistance, lipid lowering and weight management. 'It's really not one or the other,' Taub said. 'You have to synergize both lifestyle and pharmacology.'
Telegraph
01-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Statins could reduce dementia risk even if you have low cholesterol
Statins can reduce the risk of dementia among those who already have low cholesterol, a study has suggested. People taking the cholesterol-busting drugs were less likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, even if they already had their cholesterol under control, experts found. The research, published in the BMJ's Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, found that people with healthy levels of 'bad' cholesterol in their blood were at reduced risk of the neurological condition compared to those with high levels. But they also found that the risk of dementia reduced further among people who already had low cholesterol and were taking statins compared to those who were not, suggesting the drugs provide 'additional protective effects'. While statins are usually prescribed to people in their 60s or 70s, the findings raise the prospect they could be given to younger people with normal levels of cholesterol as a way of protecting the health of both their heart and brain. The researchers said the drugs were providing a 'synergistic effect' and could have a much bigger role to play in brain and cognitive health than previously thought. Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the UK, with around seven to eight million people taking the cheap, daily pills to cut their chance of heart attack and stroke. 'More to Alzheimer's than we first thought' The medicine can help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood, often referred to as the 'bad cholesterol' because it can lead to plaque build-up in arteries and increase the chance of strokes, heart attacks and heart disease. Researchers from South Korea, led by Hallym University and Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital in Seoul, said their findings 'underscore the crucial role of managing LDL- C in lowering dementia risk'. They examined health data on more than 570,000 people aged 18 and older in South Korea. The NHS says that people should aim for bad cholesterol levels in the blood to be below 4mmol/L (millimoles per litre). Researchers found that people with low LDL cholesterol levels below 1.8 mmol/L were 26 per cent less likely to develop dementia and 28 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer's. This was compared to those with levels above 3.4 mmol/L - the higher end of a healthy range. Taking statins saw those with LDL cholesterol levels below 1.8 mmol/L reduce their dementia risk by a further 13 per cent and 12 per cent for Alzheimer's compared with people who do not take them. 'These findings emphasise the importance of targeted LDL- C management as part of dementia prevention strategies, with potential integration into clinical guidelines,' the authors wrote in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 'The results support the use of statin therapy within specific LDL- C ranges for both cardiovascular and cognitive health benefits.' The study found the benefits of statins tailed off among people whose LDL cholesterol levels were 'very low' and had fallen below 0.8 mmol/L, suggesting a threshold with 'optimal benefit' that should be targeted and personalised to individuals. They added: 'This insightful understanding of how statin use interacts with LDL- C levels emphasises the need for personalised statin prescriptions, focusing on achieving LDL- C levels that offer the maximum cognitive benefits.' Dr Francesco Tamagnini, neurophysiologist at the University of Reading, said there was 'clearly more to the story of Alzheimer's than we first thought.' 'The results give a convincing argument for researchers to consider LDL cholesterol in addition to the classic approaches,' he said, hypothesising 'that damage to the blood-brain barrier can lead to accumulation of LDL cholesterol in the brain and potentially alter the electrical activity of neurons.' He said proteins, amyloid and tau, had been widely considered as the 'main cause of Alzheimer's but that is an opinion that is now likely to fade.' He added: 'Alzheimer's disease may be a complication caused by the accumulation of LDL in the brain. What we now need to find out is exactly how the high levels of lipids in the blood are causing Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.' Dr Julia Dudley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said the results suggested 'the use of statins seemed to offer a protective effect – even in those who already had cholesterol levels within a lower range.' 'However, dementia risk is complex and influenced by many factors. Without a detailed picture of what's going on in the brain we do not know if there is a direct link between lower cholesterol and reduced dementia risk,' she said. She added that trials would be 'key to understand what effects statins might be having on disease processes in the brain.' Almost one million people in the UK are living with dementia – a figure which is expected to rise by about 50 per cent over the next 15 years.
Korea Herald
13-02-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
'Depression cannot cause aggression in individuals': experts
Psychiatry professors, psychiatrists say Monday's stabbing appears to be power-assertive murder, not suspect's depression Following revelations that the suspect in the recent fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old elementary student had been diagnosed with depression, controversy has risen among some South Koreans as to whether her mental health condition can be linked to her crime. On Monday, a female teacher in her 40s stabbed first grader Kim Ha-neul at an elementary school in Daejeon as Kim was leaving an after-school session. According to the police, the teacher was diagnosed with depression in 2018 and had filed for six months of leave for mental health reasons on Dec. 9 last year. Some local media reported on posts made on online communities, including comments such as, 'Should people with depression even be allowed to work in schools,' 'Having depression isn't bad, but working with children with it doesn't seem right' and 'How did she even think about returning to work even with a mental health issue?' However, psychiatry experts pointed out that depression is a mental illness that 'holds a very low risk of causing harm to others,' noting that individuals with depression 'normally don't exhibit that kind of behavior.' 'It's difficult to conclude that this case resulted from the perpetrator's mental health condition,' professor Lee Byung-chul from Hallym University's Department of Neurology told The Korea Herald. 'Normally, individuals with depression show aggression for reasons such as self-defense. (Monday's incident) is not one of such cases, as signs of aggression are never linked with mental health conditions like depression.' Kim Dong-wook, president of the Korean Association of Psychiatrists, also told The Korea Herald that it's 'difficult to determine a causal relationship between Monday's tragic incident' and the perpetrator's depression. 'Based on media reports so far, it's difficult to say that depression is the sole cause behind the perpetrator's behavior,' Kim added. 'Even if (the perpetrator) is schizophrenic like some observers have suggested, it still doesn't explain the perpetrator's behavior, as schizophrenic patients normally show violent tendencies to protect themselves due to delusions, not to just attack others.' Professor Bae Sang-hoon from Woosuk University's Department of Police Administration, who has experience in criminal profiling, shared with The Korea Herald that the teacher's behavior doesn't seem to stem from her mental illness. Rather, he said it appears to be a form of 'power-assertive murder,' a type of killing where the perpetrator chooses a target that is weaker than them to exert control or dominance. 'Regardless of what the teacher has been diagnosed with, it seems to be a form of premeditated crime that had nothing to do with her mental illness,' Bae added. 'Based on how the teacher purposely chose to attack a student and how (the perpetrator) purchased a knife in advance before carrying out the crime, it's hard to deem that her mental illness is something that excuses her actions.'
