Blood vessels in the brain uncover a route to slow down mental deterioration

Blood vessels in the brain uncover a route to slow down mental deterioration

Unleash the Know-How on Mild Cognitive Impairment

Whoever said mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is just a minor blip in brain health hasn't done their damn research. Here's the lowdown on this persistent pain in the ass.

It appears that approximately one in six folks on this rock we call Earth might be grappling with MCI. And here's the kicker—between 10 and 15 percent of those dealing with MCI are headed straight for dementia, just like grandpa in his rocking chair.

Despite MCI and dementia being as incurable as a hangover on a Sunday morning, prior research has shown that catching MCI early and keeping a close eye on it can slow its destructive progression and extend life.

For decades, docs have relied on physical exams and assessments to gauge brain power. Neurological exams, lab tests, and brain imaging have helped rule out other conditions. But brain imaging has come closer to nailing down telltale signs of cognitive decline, thanks to its association with high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Recent research from the OU College of Medicine could shine a brighter light on early detection and potentially game-changing treatments for MCI by focusing on the brain's blood vessels.

"MCI patients are at the highest risk for the next step, which is dementia," said Calin Prodan, M.D., a professor of neurology at the OU College of Medicine. "We're trying to crack the code on the roots of MCI—what happens to the brain when a person moves from healthy aging to MCI, and is there something we can do to halt the slide to dementia?"

The research team took brain measurements at three life stages: young adults, older adults with healthy brains, and older adults with MCI. Each group played a short memory game while their brain blood flow was monitored. They found:

• Young adults' brains got a shit-ton of blood flow when it was needed to meet game demands, a process known as neurovascular coupling.
• Older adults with healthy brains didn't see as much blood flow increase, but they made up for it by enlisting other brain regions to help with the challenge, a process called functional connectivity.
• Older adults with MCI experienced drastically reduced blood flow, and they lost functional connectivity, leaving them with shit for compensation mechanisms.

"MCI patients have lost that backup system," said Cameron Owens, lead author of the study. "There's a drastic change in brain activity in those with MCI."

The researchers also looked into the amount of cerebrovascular endothelial extracellular vesicles (CEEVs)—tiny particles released by the cells lining the brain's blood vessels. Existing research indicates that damaged blood vessels release CEEVs, indicating damage.

MCI patients showed more CEEVs in their brains than those with healthy brains, and MRI images confirmed that those with higher levels of CEEVs had more ischemic damage, meaning their small brain vessels weren't getting enough oxygen-rich blood supply.

This research could pave the way for earlier detection and treatment of memory problems before they escalate to dementia. For now, the researchers are nurturing their study into year two of a four-year extravaganza.

In the interim, you might want to consider boosting your brain's blood flow. Research that sprung from the Framingham Heart Study revealed that 18 percent of adults 50 and over had healthy brain blood vessels. But for those over 70, only 1 percent managed to keep the blood flowing like a-okay.

You'll probably be wondering—how the hell do you do it? Well, here's some valuable intel—people who had healthy brain blood vessels also had healthy lifestyles that included exercise, casual strolls, and the occasional consumption of blueberry juice. In fact, a study from the University of Exeter in England found that older adults who downed blueberry juice daily saw their cognition and memory scores improve by 30 and 40 percent, respectively.

Researchers discovered that everyday blueberry juice drinking boosted both brain blood flow and gray matter activity. So, if you want to keep the old gray matter ticking, a daily blueberry splash might be the ticket. Cheers!

Note from the Editor: There are natural and harmless ways to avoid blood clots. Grab the insanely cheap vitamins that act as blood thinners, and explore the potent herb that helps sweep away brain plaque. To learn more about these tricks and other secrets for long-lived hearts, check out Secret Heart Solutions: Common Misconceptions on Heart Treatments Uncovered!

Sources:

1. Brain vasculature changes play a crucial role in predicting cognitive decline – EurekAlert!
2. Neurovascular coupling, functional connectivity, and cerebrovascular endothelial extracellular vesicles as biomarkers of mild cognitive impairment – Alzheimer's & Dementia
3. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) – Mayo Clinic
4. Remnant cholesterol and mild cognitive impairment: A cross-sectional study – Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

Adopting a healthy lifestyle, which may include regular exercise, a balanced diet, and possibly the consumption of blueberry juice, could potentially enhance brain blood flow and contribute to healthy aging. Prolonged dementia could be delayed by prioritizing early detection and treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as research in health-and-wellness and mental-health fields focuses on understanding the roots of MCI, the role of the brain's blood vessels, and the detection of cognitive decline using methods such as neurovascular coupling and measuring cerebrovascular endothelial extracellular vesicles (CEEVs).

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