Key points from article :
A 20-year study led by Johns Hopkins University, published in JAMA Network Open, has identified factors that accelerate brain ageing and the progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Researchers used the BIOCARD cohort to track brain changes and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers in participants, revealing that those with type 2 diabetes and low levels of certain proteins in their CSF experienced faster brain shrinkage and an earlier transition to MCI. Specifically, white matter atrophy and ventricular enlargement were strong predictors of cognitive decline.
The study found that individuals with diabetes were 41% more likely to develop MCI than those without. Additionally, a low amyloid β42 to amyloid β40 ratio in CSF, a key biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease, increased the risk of cognitive decline by 48%. When both diabetes and a low amyloid ratio were present, the risk of developing MCI rose by 55%, highlighting the compounded effect of these factors.
These findings underscore the importance of early detection of accelerated brain changes and unfavorable biomarkers. Such identification could help optimize preventive strategies, potentially delaying or preventing the onset of MCI. Long-term studies like this one are essential for understanding the complex interactions between health conditions, biomarkers, and brain ageing.
