Many older adults worry about memory loss and declining thinking skills. However, mild forgetfulness is often a normal part of aging rather than a sign of serious problems. While it’s common to forget things occasionally, more severe memory issues can interfere with daily life, making it difficult to drive, use the phone, or navigate familiar places.
A recent study from the University of Washington suggests that maintaining a healthy blood-brain barrier is crucial for brain health as we age. The blood-brain barrier is a network of tiny blood vessels in the brain that controls what enters and exits.
It protects the brain from harmful substances while allowing essential nutrients to pass through. When this barrier weakens or starts to leak, it may contribute to memory loss and cognitive decline.
The researchers reviewed over 150 scientific articles to understand how aging affects the blood-brain barrier. They found that small leaks in this barrier are common in healthy older adults and are linked to mild forgetfulness.
However, in people with a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, known as the ApoE4 allele, these leaks become more pronounced. This makes it harder for the brain to clear out harmful substances, such as amyloid beta-peptide, a protein that builds up and forms plaques in Alzheimer’s patients.
Normally, the blood-brain barrier has pumps that help remove amyloid beta-peptide from the brain. As people age, these pumps don’t work as efficiently. In individuals with Alzheimer’s, they function even worse, leading to more plaque buildup and worsening memory problems.
The study also highlights changes in two types of cells in the blood-brain barrier: pericytes and astrocytes. Pericytes help maintain the barrier’s strength, but they tend to decrease with age, making the barrier more vulnerable to leaks.
Astrocytes, on the other hand, become overactive, which may contribute to further damage. Scientists believe that protecting pericytes could be a way to keep the blood-brain barrier healthy and slow down age-related cognitive decline.
Some research suggests that pericyte health can be maintained through lifestyle habits that are already known to promote longevity. Regular exercise, calorie restriction, and certain medications like rapamycin may help support pericyte function and preserve brain health.
Keeping the brain healthy as we age is an important goal for many people. In addition to maintaining a strong blood-brain barrier, studies have found that certain diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, may help protect brain function.
Other research suggests that specific antioxidants could reduce the risk of dementia. Understanding and supporting brain health through lifestyle choices and medical research could help prevent or delay memory problems in older adults.
This study, led by William Banks and his team, was published in Nature Aging and adds to growing evidence that the blood-brain barrier plays a key role in memory and cognitive function. While more research is needed, these findings highlight the importance of protecting brain health throughout life.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that eating apples and tea could keep dementia at bay, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health.
For more health information, please see recent studies what you eat together may affect your dementia risk, and time-restricted eating: a simple way to fight aging and cancer.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
