In a recent study, published in the journal Neurology, scientists have made a discovery capable of revolutionizing the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative diseases. According to the researchers, Shrinkage of the hippocampus is associated with cognitive decline, even in people who do not have amyloid plaques in their brains.
Although until now the presence of proteins accumulated in the brain (beta-amyloid and tau) has been the marker par excellence associated with cognitive decline in people with and without Alzheimer’s, it is the loss of volume of the hippocampus that precedes the signs of cognitive decline, such as deterioration of functions such as memory, reasoning, thinking skills, language, and the ability to carry out daily activities.
According to the study’s first author, Bernard J. Hanseeuw, of Harvard Medical School in the United States, “these findings suggest that neurodegenerative diseases other than Alzheimer’s are contributing to this decline, and measuring hippocampal volume can help us evaluate these causes that are currently difficult to measure“.
How has the relationship between hippocampal atrophy and cognition been assessed?
The study involved 128 participants, with an average age of 72 years, who, at the beginning of the tests, did not present any type of cognitive or memory dysfunction. They all underwent different types of brain scans during the study, to assess the amount of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, as well as measuring the volume of the hippocampus.
Subsequently, these volunteers were followed for an average of seven years, carrying out annual cognitive assessments. Soon the researchers associated rapid shrinkage of the hippocampus with equally accelerated cognitive decline.
At the end of the testing phase, the researchers analyzed all biomarkers and proved their hypothesis that hippocampal atrophy was directly associated with cognitive decline. regardless of the levels of amyloid and tau detected.
Is it possible to increase the volume of the hippocampus in the elderly?
In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, smaller hippocampal volume has been observed in people with other undesirable conditions, such as Cushing’s disease, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. Adopting certain lifestyle habits can even increase hippocampal loss, such as inadequate nutrition and excessive alcohol consumption, even among young people.
The good news is that it is possible to increase the volume of the hippocampus even in older people.. The recipe is to include more physical activities in your routine, such as yoga, exercises that develop balance and coordination, aerobic and cardiovascular exercises. In other words, although cognitive decline can occur, taking care of your brain with good lifestyle habits is an effective way to delay this condition.
The contribution of this research was to discover that amyloid plaques and tau tangles are not the only causes of cognitive decline. There are also other triggers, such as shrinkage of the hippocampus, and they can act alone or together. Therefore, the development of tests and markers for cognitive decline is essential to mitigate degenerative diseases.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
