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Recent research indicates a potential connection between early heart health issues and changes in brain health that may signal the onset of dementia, including reductions in brain volume. This insight comes from a meta-analysis published on March 26, 2025, in the journal Neurology®, associated with the American Academy of Neurology.
“Our findings highlight that improved heart health correlates with larger brain volumes, implying that maintaining cardiac function could be vital for preserving cognitive abilities and overall brain health as individuals age,” stated Frank J. Wolters, MD, PhD, the lead author of the meta-analysis from Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. “These findings underscore the urgency of early detection and addressing heart health issues.”
This comprehensive analysis encompassed seven studies from both Europe and the United States, involving a total of 10,889 participants, with an average age of 67. The research focused on identifying early indicators of heart problems, such as systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Systolic dysfunction refers to the heart’s left ventricle’s inability to contract effectively, while diastolic dysfunction is characterized by the left ventricle’s failure to relax properly between beats and fill with blood. MRI scans were utilized to assess brain volumes.
The outcomes of the meta-analysis revealed a troubling trend: individuals with moderate to severe systolic dysfunction had a noticeably smaller total brain volume compared to those with normal systolic function. Similarly, individuals experiencing diastolic dysfunction exhibited reduced total brain volume and a smaller hippocampal region, which is crucial for memory processing.
“Our study indicates that even mild diastolic dysfunction can negatively impact brain health,” stressed Wolters. “By assessing individuals with heart issues—particularly those with compromised diastolic function—for cognitive problems, we may be able to identify cognitive decline at an earlier stage and initiate timely interventions.”
Wolters emphasized the necessity for further research to deepen the understanding of the link between cardiovascular and neurological health, especially in terms of correlating imaging results with critical health outcomes.
However, one limitation of this meta-analysis is that a significant proportion of the participants were of European descent, which may limit the applicability of these findings to broader, more diverse populations.
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