319
0
The most common type of dementia in the world is Alzheimer's disease. In people who suffer, memory and cognitive abilities deteriorate. At the same time, the reasons for its occurrence are still unclear. However, there are factors that affect the development of this disease: age, head injuries, smoking, and others.
Studies conducted by scientists have revealed a new, non-obvious risk factor for fat deposits in the muscles — myosteatosis.
According to experts, there are 3 types of muscles in the human body: skeletal, smooth and cardiac. Myosteatosis affects the skeletal muscle group.
A study in which more than 1,6 people over the age of 70 took part showed that the accumulation of fat in the thigh muscles causes an accelerated decline in intelligence.
At the same time, experts do not yet understand how muscle fat and the brain communicate with each other. They also have to find out whether reducing fat deposits in muscle tissue helps to reduce the risk of developing dementia in humans.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, so it is important to understand how to prevent its development. If prevention methods are not found, the number of dementia patients will reach 30 million in 150 years.
Obesity and loss of muscle mass are risk factors that contribute to the development of dementia. However, the role of fatty infiltration of skeletal muscles is still not fully understood.
Scientists have found that people with myosteatosis are twice as likely to die prematurely compared to those who suffer from normal obesity.
Doctors need to understand that fatty infiltration is a risk factor that lowers a person's intelligence, in contrast to general obesity and loss of muscle mass, the authors of the study summarized.
