The inflammation may indicate an increased risk of dementia later in life

The latest findings from the Community Atherosclerosis Risk Study (ARIC) indicate that people with chronic inflammation in middle age exhibit a greater decline in cognitive function with age.

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When the body is injured, it triggers an acute inflammatory reaction to fight the infection and promote healing. This inflammatory response is localized and short-lived, and is part of a healthy immune system.

In contrast, chronic inflammation is an unhealthy, unhealthy inflammation that persists for months or even years at many sites of the body. This long-term inflammatory response can be caused by a number of factors, including psychological stress, pollution, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic inflammation can cause joint pain or stiffness, digestive problems and fatigue.

Chronic inflammation is tough on the body and can damage joints, internal organs, tissues and cells. It can also lead to heart disease, stroke and cancer. While other studies have examined chronic inflammation and its effects on the brain in the elderly, our extensive study has looked at chronic inflammation beginning in the old age medium and has shown that it can contribute to cognitive decline in the decades before old age. "

Keenan Walker, author of the study

In this study, scientists evaluated changes in thinking and memory capacity in 20 years in more than 12,000 people. At study entry, participants averaged 57 years of age and measured four biomarkers of inflammation (fibrinogen, white blood cell count, von Willebrand factor, and factor VIII).

Three years later, the level of C-reactive protein, another blood biomarker of inflammation, was measured. Participants were divided into one of four groups depending on the level of biomarkers of inflammation in their blood.

Cognitive function was badessed using standardized tests of memory, processing speed and verbal fluency at the beginning of the study, six to nine years later and about 20 years later. . The data has been adjusted to account for other factors that may affect thinking and memory abilities, such as education, heart disease and hypertension.

The results showed that higher levels of inflammatory markers were badociated with a greater decline in cognitive abilities. The inflammation was most strongly badociated with memory loss.

The group with the highest levels of C-reactive protein had a more pronounced 12% decline in thinking and memory abilities than the group with the lowest levels. The difference between the groups with the highest and lowest levels of biomarkers of inflammation was 8%.

Although the changes in thinking and memory abilities badociated with chronic inflammation have been modest, they are more important than those badociated with high blood pressure at middle age.

It is thought that many of the processes that can lead to a decline in thinking and memory abilities begin at the average age, and it is perhaps at this age that they respond best to an intervention. Our results show that chronic inflammation can be an important intervention target. However, it is also possible that chronic inflammation is not a cause, but rather a marker, or even a response, of neurodegenerative brain diseases that can lead to cognitive decline. "

Keenan Walker, author of the study

The study shows that inflammation levels at middle age are important factors in determining the risk of dementia. Reducing chronic inflammation, for example with regular exercise and a healthy diet, can help reduce cognitive decline.