New research led by University College London suggests that early blood pressure problems have a negative effect on brain health later in life. The investigation was focused on data from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD), which is the longest-running birth cohort study in the UK, 

The sub-study, Insight 46, was designed to identify early signs of dementia among individuals in the years leading up to their 70s. The research will provide experts with a unique perspective on specific risk factors that may impact brain health.

While previous research has linked high blood pressure in midlife to an increased risk of dementia, the mechanism which underlies this association has remained unclear. 

The current study followed 502 individuals from the NSHD, who were all born in the same week in 1946. The participants were free from dementia at the start of the study, and most of the individuals underwent scans to evaluate their brain health. 

The brain scans allowed the researchers to search for levels of a key Alzheimer’s protein called amyloid. The scans also showed the size of the brain and the extent of any blood vessel damage. In addition, the NSHD data included measurements of the participants’ blood pressure at various ages from 36 to 69.

The analysis revealed that higher blood pressure at the age of 53, or a gradual rise in blood pressure from 43 to 53, were both associated with more evidence of blood vessel damage or “mini strokes” in the brain by age 70. On the other hand, blood pressure was not associated with the level of amyloid protein in the brain or any memory problems at a later age. 

“This unique group of individuals, who have contributed to research their entire lives, has already shaped our understanding of the factors influencing health throughout life,” said Professor Jonathan Schott. 

“The Insight 46 study has allowed us to reveal more about the complex relationship between blood pressure and brain health. The findings suggest that blood pressure even in our 30s could have a knock-on effect on brain health four decades later.”

“We now know that damage caused by high blood pressure is unlikely to be driven through the hallmark Alzheimer’s protein amyloid, but through changes in blood vessels and the brain’s architecture. The findings show that blood pressure monitoring and interventions aimed at maximising brain health later in life need to be targeted at least by early midlife.”

Dr. Carol Routledge explained that, even though the Insight 46 study is not yet complete, the initial findings are shedding new light on the mechanism by which hypertension could damage the brain. 

“High blood pressure in midlife is one of the strongest lifestyle risk factors for dementia, and one that is in our control to easily monitor and manage,” said Dr. Routledge. 

“Research is already suggesting that more aggressive treatment of high blood pressure in recent years could be improving the brain health of today’s older generations. We must continue to build on this insight by detecting and managing high blood pressure even for those in early midlife.”

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According to data from the National Survey of Health and Nutrition 2012 (Ensanut) cited by the UADY researcher, the number of teenagers living in urban areas of the state that suffer from overweight and obesity, went from 42.5 percent in 2006 to 42 percent in 2012. However, in rural inhabitants this figure represents 52 percent, higher than the national average.

The nutritionist has worked, together with students of the UADY’s School of Nutrition, with several rural communities in nutrition and food education. She currently has a project funded by the Kellogs Foundation with young adolescents between 12 and 19 years of age in the Yucatecan community of Chacsinkin to improve their food health.

According to the expert, this town is a reflection of what has been detected in the all the rural communities across the state, where young people are overweight and obese. Only in this population, around 35 percent of this sector suffers from this disease and others already present cardiovascular risks at a very young age.

Food transition

The specialist has detected that young people have bad eating habits because they stop eating traditional foods, rich in nutrients, to incorporate the “modern stuff”, such as soft drinks, which is what most young people consume, coupled with fried foods, cookies and “Frito Lays”, which are not expensive and can be accessed more easily.

Although, a large part of the families of these populations continue to grow their own food, they young do not do eat those products frequently, and in any case most teenagers prefer “junk” food, however, the grandparents still have an established “food culture”.

In addition, young people have the perception that eating a certain type of food is poor, for example, in the talks they are offered, they are given the option of combining food, such as egg with chaya or beans, but they say: “We always eat chaya, the chaya is for the poor”. However, they think that buying bottled sodas of a certain brand gives them a higher status.

“The food policy in the country must change”, stressed the nutritionist, “the focus should be on education. For its part, companies that sell junk food and candy should pay higher taxes to make it more difficult for people to access these products. they must also modify the labeling of these products, with messages where the consequences of their consumption are made evident (as in the case of cigarette packs).

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