Dementia is a devastating condition that impacts up to 10 percent of older adults. And while there’s no cure, getting diagnosed early can help patients get on a treatment plan and families prepare.
Now, new research suggests that the reduced size of a specific muscle could indicate that someone has an increased risk of dementia. Of course, it’s a little complicated. Here’s what the study found, plus what you can do to lower your dementia risk.
Meet the expert: Ryan Glatt, CPT, senior brain health coach and director of the FitBrain Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
What did the study find?
The study, which was presented at the Radiological Society of North America meeting this month, analyzed data from 621 cognitively healthy people who participated in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative.
The researchers looked at the temporalis muscles, which are related to the jaw, on MRI images. Participants were then grouped into categories based on their muscle size. For about 5.8 years, researchers tracked whether anyone was diagnosed with dementia, plus any changes to brain structure, cognition, and functioning.
The scientists discovered that people who had smaller temporalis muscles had a 60 percent higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. A smaller temporalis muscle size was also linked to a drop in memory, functional abilities, and brain volumes.
“These results demonstrate that older adults with smaller skeletal muscles are at greater risk of cognitive decline,” the researchers said in a statement.
Is muscle loss a dementia warning sign?
This isn’t the first study to link muscle loss with a decline in cognitive function. In 2022, a JAMA Network Open cohort study of 8,279 older adults found that low muscle mass was linked with a faster drop in executive function, which are a set of skills that allow you to plan and organize. Other research has found that low skeletal muscle mass is linked with cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults.
“The relationship between muscle loss and dementia is increasingly recognized as significant, though not yet fully understood,” says Ryan Glatt, CPT, senior brain health coach and director of the FitBrain Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
A smaller temporalis muscle can actually indicate sarcopenia, which is the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. “Systemic sarcopenia “is often linked to frailty, reduced mobility, and metabolic dysfunction, all factors that are associated with cognitive decline,” Glatt says.
It’s not entirely clear why this happens, but Glatt says that muscle loss likely plays a role in the larger processes that impact brain health.
While the relationship between muscle loss and dementia is still being explored, Glatt says that it should be seen as a “meaningful warning sign,” especially when it gets worse with age.
“It often reflects underlying health concerns, including poor nutrition, reduced physical activity, and systemic inflammation, all of which can contribute to dementia risk,” he says. “Addressing muscle loss through resistance training, proper nutrition, and regular physical activity is essential for maintaining overall health and may offer protective benefits for cognitive function.”
What are other warning signs of dementia?
Previous research has found that these are some of the biggest warning signs of dementia:
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Having poor physical health
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History of having a stroke
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Not having a private health insurance plan at age 60
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No work experience, or only a few years of work experience
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Having diabetes or a body mass index of 35 or more at 60
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Scoring low on physical tests, including breathing, grip strength, walking speed, and balance
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Drinking alcohol excessively
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Not having a responsible personality
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Not really having hobbies or doing activities that promote learning
Is it possible to prevent dementia?
Dementia is a complicated condition, and researchers are still unpacking a lot about its underlying causes. However, there are some things doctors generally agree on when it comes to prevention. Those include:
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Taking care of your heart health
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Try to get 150 minutes of exercise a week
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Trying to learn something new every day
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Looking for vitamin deficiencies
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Protecting your head from injuries
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Turning off screens a few hours before bed
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