Inside Precision Medicine’s Post

📌 Telomere length and 4-year changes in cognitive function in an older Mediterranean population at high risk of cardiovascular disease. #Background Cognitive decline, a common process of brain ageing, has been associated with telomere length (TL). Delving into the identification of reliable biomarkers of brain ageing is essential to prevent accelerated cognitive impairment. #Methods We selected 317 non-smoking ‘Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea-Plus’ (PREDIMED-Plus) participants (mean age, 65.8 ± 5.0 years) with metabolic syndrome from two trial centres who were following a lifestyle intervention. We measured TL and cognitive function at baseline and after 3 and 4 years of follow-up, respectively. Associations between baseline or 3-year changes in TL and baseline or 4-year changes in cognitive function were analysed using multivariable regression models. #Results Baseline TL was not associated with baseline cognitive performance. Nevertheless, longer baseline TL was associated with improved 4-year changes in the Executive Function domain (β: 0.29; 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.44; P < 0.001) and the Global Cognitive Function domain (β: 0.19; 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.34; P = 0.010). Besides, a positive association was found between longer baseline TL and improved 4-year changes in the animal version of the Verbal Fluency Test (β: 0.33; 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.52; P = 0.002). By contrast, 3-year changes in TL were not associated with changes in cognitive function after 4 years. #Conclusions Longer baseline TL could protect from cognitive decline and be used as a useful biomarker of brain ageing function in an older Mediterranean population at risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment. https://lnkd.in/dC5wuXXD

Recent findings published in Nature Portfolio spotlight how vascular issues in the brain may affect cognitive health in type 1 diabetes. The research showed blocking certain inflammatory signals could reduce capillary blockages and improve cognitive outcomes. This research emphasizes the importance of studying brain health in diabetes to uncover new ways to safeguard cognitive function. Read about the findings here: https://lnkd.in/eEmH97fa #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #BrainHealth #DiabetesResearch

🌍 Stroke still ranks as a leading cause of death globally! Know more: https://bit.ly/3ByfWFa 🚨 Lifestyle factors, such as poor diet and lack of exercise, are increasing the risk. 💔 it’s crucial to stay informed and help patients adopt healthier habits to lower their chances of stroke. 🧠 Early intervention and education can make all the difference in reducing global mortality. Let’s work together to create stroke awareness and save lives! Credit: The Lancet Neurology #Stroke #GlobalHealth #Lifestyle #HealthcareProfessionals #PreventiveCare #MedicalResearch #StrokePrevention #eMednews

Mrs. Johnson, a woman in her 60s walks into Dr. Larson’s office. Her BMI is “normal,” her weight has been stable for years. But her labs reveal rising blood sugar, hypertension, and subtle cognitive changes. She shrugs it off—after all, she’s not “overweight.” This isn’t a rare case. It’s a wake-up call. A recent study by The Lancet Group Diabetes & Endocrinology commission reinforces the power of lifestyle interventions to improve metabolic health. But here’s the thing: we can’t just talk about weight loss anymore. Excess body weight is just one symptom of metabolic dysfunction, and older adults, in particular, may not experience it. It’s time to evolve the conversation: ⚖️ Metabolic dysfunction doesn’t care about BMI. People with “normal” BMIs can still face risks. ⚖️ The stakes are higher with age. Metabolic dysfunction increases the risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and dementia, often silently creeping in during the later decades of life. ⚖️ Genetics play a role. Some carry weight due to genetic predisposition, while others with genetic weight resistance may not—yet both can experience the same risks. Let’s redefine the goal. Moving beyond “anti-obesity,” we should focus on metabolic health, addressing symptoms like hypertension, insulin resistance, and cognitive decline before they spiral into larger chronic conditions. How can we shift the narrative? ______________________________ Resources: Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Eric Topol, MD Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity, Rubino, Francesco et al. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Volume 0, Issue 0 Pericardial and visceral, but not total body fat, are related to global coronary and extra-coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden Rodriguez-Granillo, Gaston A. et al. International Journal of Cardiology, Volume 260, 204 - 210 Hildebrandt, X., Ibrahim, M. & Peltzer, N. Cell death and inflammation during obesity: “Know my methods, WAT(son)”. Cell Death Differ 30, 279–292 (2023). https://lnkd.in/giarXf5P

Type 1 diabetes heightens the risk of neurological issues and reduces cognitive function. Recent research in Nature Portfolio reveals a surprising role for the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In diabetic mice, elevated IL-10 levels exacerbated capillary blockages in the brain, decreasing blood flow to key cognitive areas. Insulin treatment alone did not fully reduce capillary obstruction risks, aligning with other studies showing that partial blood glucose normalization may not address diabetes-related nerve damage. However, blocking IL-10 signaling led to improved blood flow and cognitive function, pointing to potential new treatment approaches for diabetes-related cognitive decline. More on the findings here: https://lnkd.in/e9Dysktc #DiabetesAwareness #HealthInnovation #ResearchInsights

A brand new study of ours published in Alzheimer & Dementia and involving 3953 UK Biobank participants found that poor cardiovascular health (CVH) is linked to poor brain white matter (WM) microstructural integrity, primarily mediated through leptin. The plasma proteome was examined as a potential mediator or moderator of the association between CVH and WM microstructural integrity. The study identified ten strongly mediating plasma proteins, with leptin being the principal driver. URL: https://lnkd.in/e4frCC9Y

Rethinking Chemobrain: Could Blood Sugar Hold the Key? 🧠🤯 As #cancer healthcare professionals, we now that cognitive challenges like short-term memory loss, focus issues, and mental fog—often referred to as “chemobrain”—can significantly impact the quality of life for cancer survivors. While this experience is common, recent research suggests that managing metabolic health, particularly blood glucose levels, could support these patients' cognitive function. A study on older adults found that even mildly elevated blood glucose levels (within the normal range) were linked to atrophy in key brain regions—the hippocampus and amygdala—associated with memory and learning. Importantly, this occurred even in individuals without type 2 diabetes, highlighting how blood glucose can affect brain health independently of diabetes status. How can we help our patients manage their blood glucose levels to support cognitive function? Here are a few evidence-based #lifestylemedicine strategies to share: My favorite is #1! Share yours in the comments! 1. Move after your last meal🚶♀️: A 5-10 minute walk after meals can help regulate blood sugar or check out my #fiveminute friday workouts on YouTube https://lnkd.in/ecJ-bwgK 2. High-Fiber Foods 🥦: Fiber slows glucose absorption, leading to more stable levels. 3. Stress Management 🧘: Techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, or light stretching can help patients manage stress, which also influences blood glucose. 4. Sleep Routine: 😴: Quality sleep is crucial for glucose regulation and cognitive health. 5. Hydration 💧: Staying well-hydrated supports metabolic health and can positively impact focus and energy levels leading to better overall food choices. By incorporating metabolic health education into survivorship care, we can offer cancer survivors proactive strategies that may ease cognitive symptoms and improve their overall well-being. 💬 How do you integrate metabolic health in your care approach for cancer survivors? Share your experiences or insights! #CancerCare #Chemobrain #MetabolicHealth #BloodSugarBalance #CognitiveSupport #HealthcareProfessionals #CancerSurvivorship #LifestyleMedicine #PatientSupport 

Study challenges traditional risk factors for brain health in the oldest-old A study led by the University of California, Irvine has found cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which are known to contribute to brain blood vessel damage in younger populations, not to be associated with an increased risk of such harm in individuals 90 and older. https://lnkd.in/d7R9yZNu

A recent Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, published in The Lancet Neurology, revealed a significant increase in the global stroke burden between 1990 and 2021. The study highlighted that current stroke prevention strategies are insufficient to curb this growing trend, calling for more effective measures, including population-wide strategies, task shifting, and greater use of mobile and telehealth platforms. In 2021, stroke was the third leading cause of death globally, accounting for 7.3 million deaths and 160.5 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Regions like Southeast Asia and Oceania saw the highest increases, particularly in lower socio-demographic index (SDI) countries. The study identified risk factors such as high BMI, air pollution, and poor diet as key contributors. Without immediate implementation of innovative, evidence-based strategies, the global stroke burden will continue to rise, posing a significant threat to healthcare systems worldwide. #neurology #stroke With the Specialist combines artificial intelligence with a board certified neurologist to enhance neurological care, bringing the neurology consult to you. #withthespecialist #aiinhealthcare #innovation https://lnkd.in/gzdEqeBs https://lnkd.in/gExrwg2P

💎💎💎Whatsapp!! 💎💎💎Visceral Fat May Indicate Alzheimer’s Risk Decades Before Symptoms A new study links #visceral #fat, a deep layer of #abdominal_fat , to increased brain #amyloid and #tau #proteins — #key #markers of #Alzheimer’s disease—decades before #dementia #symptoms arise. Researchers found that visceral fat accounted for 77% of the relationship between high #BMI and #amyloid #accumulation, while other fat types showed no similar impact. The study highlights how managing visceral fat through #lifestyle changes or #medication could reduce Alzheimer’s risk. Midlife interventions are especially critical, as participants in their 40s and 50s exhibited these pathologies early on. The findings reveal that #metabolic factors like #insulin_resistance and #cholesterol amplify obesity-related brain damage. This research emphasizes the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies against #obesity-related Alzheimer’s risk. ➡ 💎 You can find more pieces of work by clicking here. https://lnkd.in/eSG67K5G #visceral_fat #obesity #Alzheimer’s_risk