Weight loss in middle age: A warning sign of dementia?

ConclusionThis study has investigated the association between weight change in midlife and the risk of MCI in older age. The study found that participants who developed MCI in later life experienced a slightly greater weight loss per decade in middle age than those who did not. This effect was seen in the group as a whole and for men, but was not significant for women. The main thing to note is that the researchers are not trying to blame the weight change itself on the increased risk of MCI, just that it could be a marker. The researchers suggest that weight loss may have been due to what is called the "anorexia of ageing". This is said to be a dysfunction in the production of certain hormones, which then affects dietary intake and energy metabolism, which could in theory affect risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.However, this theory cannot be proven by this study. The causes of MCI and more serious dementia-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease are poorly understood, apart from ageing and possible hereditary factors. This research has taken account of gender, educational status and one gene associated with Alzheimer’s. However, there may be other relevant health and lifestyle factors that are influencing the outcomes seen and have not been accounted for.Other limitations of the study, which the researchers openly state, are that it is not possible to detect from the records whether the weight loss in middle age was intentional. The study was al...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology Older people Mental health Source Type: news