Memory loss in old age Is weight loss ahead?

Anyone who inadvertently loses weight during the transition from middle to old age is probably at a higher risk for mild memory problems and, later, dementia. This is the result of a Mayo Clinic study in Rochester, Minnesota, with nearly 2,000 participants. At the beginning of the study, the subjects were at least 70 years old and showed normal cognitive performance. The scientists conducted regular neuropsychological tests to test their abilities in various areas such as memory, attention, action planning and language. The current weight or body mass index (BMI) was compared with maximum mean age of 45 to 65 years.

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Over the course of a four-year average follow-up, mild cognitive impairment was noted in 524 cases, which were usually noticed by the environment. It is estimated that 5 to 15 percent of those affected develop progressive dementia from these mild difficulties.

The analysis of the data showed that people with cognitive impairments declined faster than comparators. Greater weight loss was associated with a higher risk of memory impairment: per five kilograms in a decade, the probability increased by 24 percent - regardless of other factors such as gender, education and genetic predisposition.

However, it remains unclear whether weight-stabilization interventions can counteract dementia, the authors emphasize in the journal JAMA Neurology. Further studies will follow to uncover the background of this relationship. Due to a lack of nutrient uptake certain hormones may not be sufficiently produced, which promotes memory loss. On the other hand, depression and apathy may precede incipient dementia and lead to loss of appetite and weight loss. (Heike Kreutz, aid)