A recent study has revealed that experiencing joint symptoms in your 20s and 30s could be an early warning sign of cognitive decline and dementia later in life. The research highlights a connection between early-life inflammation and the deterioration of brain function in middle age. The American Academy of Neurology reports that researchers focused on the presence of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood, which is indicative of inflammation.
Common signs of inflammation include joint pain, stiffness, digestive issues, and tiredness. Dr Kristine Yaffe from the University of California commented: "Our study found that having consistently higher or moderate inflammation starting in early adulthood may negatively affect a person's ability to plan, focus and manage multiple tasks as well as how quickly they can process information in middle age." The long-term study tracked nearly 2,400 individuals over 18 years, periodically assessing inflammation levels alongside cognitive abilities.
Results indicated that participants with moderate to high inflammation were up to 21% less proficient in cognitive tests and approximately twice as likely to exhibit reduced processing speed, reports Birmingham Live . Dr Yaffe revealed: "Inflammation is important for cognitive ageing and may begin much earlier than previously known. Although current prevention efforts mainly focus on late life, our study provides evidence for the need to also target brain health in middle age.
More research is need.
