Participants with sarcopenic obesity had the highest levels of cognitive impairment and forgetfulness, followed by sarcopenia, obesity, and finally control group.

Scientists link Alzheimer’s disease to elderly candidate: sarcopenic obesity

More than 15% of Japanese adults over 65 suffer from dementia and serious health problems. Alzheimer’s disease is known to significantly reduce the quality of life of the elderly, as it impairs their memory, thinking and social skills.

Obesity, on the other hand, has become an ever-increasing lifestyle disease. It is usually called sarcopenic obesity, which is assessed based on weak muscle mass, body mass index (BMI) and arm strength. Surprisingly, this condition is known to increase the risk of cognitive impairment. Do scientists think this relationship also works for dementia?

Sarcopenic obesity is associated with MCCI and dementia among Japanese seniors. Credit: Juntendo University

Researchers at Juntendo University in Japan, led by Dr. Yoshifumi Tamura, answered this question in a recent issue. Clinical nutrition. Emphasizing the importance of his work, Dr. Tamura said, “If the link between sarcopenic obesity and dementia is established, appropriate measures can be taken to reduce the risk of dementia in the elderly.”

The study included 1,615 elderly Japanese, aged 65 to 84, who participated in the Buncio Health Study. Depending on the individual’s sarcopenia and obesity, the researchers divided the participants into four groups: acute obesity, sarcopenia, sarcopenic osity and obesity or uncontrolled sarcopenia. They then examined the relationship between sarcopenia, obesity, and multiple brain functions.

For men under 28 kg and for women 18 kg, the strength of the arm indicates sarcopenia or weak muscle strength, but individuals with a BMI above 25 kg / m2 are overweight. To assess the presence of Alzheimer’s disease and MCI, two assessment methods were used. MCI and Alzheimer’s disease were identified by less than 22 points in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and less than 23 points in the Minerals State Test.

In a new study, Japanese researchers showed how coexistence with sarcopenia and obesity is associated with cognitive impairment in older Japanese. Credit: Juntendo University

59.4% of the population were found to be obese or sarcopenia, 21.2% obese, 14.6% sarcopenia, and 4.7% had 4.7% sarcopenic obesity. Participants with sarcopenic obesity had higher MCI and forgetfulness levels, followed by sarcopenia, obesity, and finally control group.

The team conducted a comprehensive analysis of statistically related associations, and found that sarcopenic obesity was associated with sarcopenia and obesity compared with MCI and Alzheimer’s disease. The study showed that sarcopenia is highly associated with dementia in women, but not in men.

“This study clearly shows that sarcopenic obesity, which is characterized by a combination of BMI and hand grip, is associated with MCI and Japanese mental illness in the elderly,” said Dr. Tamura.

But what are the long-term implications of this study?

Dr. Tamura’s answer to this question is encouraging. “Because we know there is a strong link between sarcopenic obesity and dementia, we can develop new therapies to control the condition, thereby reducing the spread of dementia.”

Credit writes “Sarcopenic obesity is associated with cognitive impairment in the elderly in the community.” Shimada, Hirouki Daida, Muneaki Ishijima, Kazuo Kaneko, Shuko Nojiri, Rizo Kawamori and Hirotaka Watada, March 16, 2022; Clinical nutrition.
DOI ፡ 10.1016 / j.clnu.2022.03.017