A new study from the University of Melbourne has provided fresh insights into how age-related changes in the heart affect the brain.
Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to examine the connection between the cardiovascular system and brain networks over time.
Their findings, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, suggest that poor heart health could increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
It’s well known that the brain and heart are closely connected. The brain controls heart activity, while the heart supplies the brain with oxygen and nutrients through blood circulation. However, researchers still don’t fully understand why cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative diseases often occur together.
To explore this relationship, the study analyzed data from nearly 3,000 healthy adults aged 46 to 80. Researchers mapped how the cardiovascular system and brain networks change with age, identifying key areas of the brain affected by heart aging.
Using multiorgan imaging technology, the research team found that certain brain networks are particularly sensitive to cardiovascular aging. These include:
- The salience network – Involved in detecting and responding to important stimuli.
- The default mode network – Plays a key role in memory and self-reflection.
- The somatomotor network – Regulates movement and physical coordination.
Since these brain regions help regulate the autonomic nervous system (which controls heart function), their decline could contribute to both heart and brain diseases.
Professor Andrew Zalesky from the University of Melbourne emphasized the real-world implications of these findings. He explained that cardiovascular exercise may help reduce the risk of both heart disease and brain-related diseases, including dementia, motor neuron disease, and Parkinson’s.
Ph.D. candidate Yalda Amirmoezzi, a researcher on the study, believes this work could lead to better strategies for predicting, managing, and preventing both cardiovascular and neurological diseases as people age.
This study reinforces the importance of good cardiovascular health for brain function. Taking steps to improve heart health—such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and managing blood pressure—could also protect the brain from age-related decline.
As researchers continue to explore these connections, the hope is that new treatments and interventions will emerge to help maintain both heart and brain health throughout life.
The research findings can be found in The Journal of Neuroscience.
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