Scientists have reported on the connection between blood supply to the brain and memory

Subtle changes in blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain may be one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease. This is the conclusion reached by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, who studied the relationship between vascular brain health and key markers of neurodegenerative disease. This was reported on February 24 in the journal Science Daily.

Scientists examined elderly people with and without cognitive impairments, and found that cerebral circulation is directly related to the accumulation of amyloid plaques and a decrease in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory.

According to the lead author of the study, Amaryllis Tsiknii, traditionally the focus has been on the proteins amyloid and tau, but vascular processes also play a critical role. When the blood supply system of the brain functioned closer to the indicators of healthy aging, the participants showed signs of a more prosperous cognitive state.

For the analysis, the scientists used non-invasive diagnostic methods. Transcranial Dopplerography made it possible to track the blood flow rate in the large arteries of the brain, and near—infrared spectroscopy made it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of oxygen delivery to tissues. The data obtained were combined using mathematical modeling, which made it possible to assess the ability of the vascular system to adapt to changes in pressure and carbon dioxide levels.

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The study showed that participants with healthier vascular parameters had a lower amyloid load and a larger hippocampal volume. Senior author Meredith Brasky noted that vascular parameters are in good agreement with the results of MRI and PET scans, which are traditionally used to assess the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

In addition, people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia had weaker vascular function, which confirms the hypothesis that the circulatory system plays an important role in the development of the disease.

At the same time, scientists emphasize that the work reflects only a momentary observation and does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship. Long-term studies are currently underway to show whether changes in vascular parameters can predict cognitive decline and the effectiveness of therapy.

On January 26, Science Daily magazine reported on the impact of obesity and hypertension on the risk of dementia. According to the publication, high body mass index and high blood pressure are the direct causes of the disease. According to experts, the discovery suggests that preventing or treating obesity and hypertension may reduce the risk of dementia in the future.

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