Could rapid weight loss be an early warning sign of dementia?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-02-08 03:00

Australia; International; VIC

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Australian-led research has found that rapid weight loss and high levels of 'good' cholesterol may be early warning signs of dementia. The team looked at heart and metabolism health in 1,078 people with dementia and 4,312 people without the condition. They found people with dementia had experienced more rapid weight loss, based on declines in body mass index (BMI) and waist measurements, up to 11 years before their diagnosis, as well as higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or 'good' cholesterol, around five years before diagnosis, compared with those who did not have dementia. The researchers say the findings provide insights into the changes in the body that precede dementia, and could provide a method for flagging older adults who are likely to go on to develop the condition so early treatment can be provided.

Media release

From: JAMA

Cardiometabolic Trajectories Preceding Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Individuals

About The Study: In this study of older individuals, decline in body mass index, waist circumference, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) occurred up to a decade before dementia diagnosis. These findings provide insights into cardiometabolic changes preceding dementia and the potential for early monitoring and intervention.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Monash University

Funder: This work was supported by grants U01AG029824 and U19AG062682 from the National Institute on Aging and National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health and 334047 and 1127060 from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and by Monash University (Australia) and the Victorian Cancer Agency (Australia). Dr Ryan is funded by Leadership 1 Investigator Grant 2016438 from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

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