In a new study from Mount Sinai in New York City, researchers found stability in body mass index (BMI) over time is linked to a better cognitive trajectory in older adults.
They used data from 15,977 elderly adults seen at the Alzheimer’s Disease Centers to assess the link between change in BMI and cognitive trajectories.
The researchers found that participants with significant changes in BMI (increase or decrease of 5 percent or more) or who had greater variability in BMI had a faster cognitive decline.
This finding was seen regardless of BMI status at the beginning of the study (underweight/normal, overweight, or obese).
The team says that stability in BMI over time, in contrast to increases or decreases in BMI, is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline, both in global cognition and specific cognitive domains.
Disentangling the biological pathways underlying different trajectories of BMI in old age, and their contribution to brain health and disease is necessary to develop potential therapies.
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The study is published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. One author of the study is Michal Schnaider Beeri, Ph.D.
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