ATT may be more sensitive to age-related decline than CBF, and therefore useful for early detection and management of cerebrovascular impairment.”Peer-Reviewed Publication

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Figure 4. Flow chart of the screening and experimental sessions. Abbreviations: MoCA: Montreal Cognitive Assessment; ECG: electrocardiogram; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; CBF: cerebral blood flow; ATT: arterial transit time; GMV: grey matter volume; V̇O2peak: peak oxygen consumption; BMI: body mass index.

Credit: 2024 Feron et al.

“ATT may be more sensitive to age-related decline than CBF, and therefore useful for early detection and management of cerebrovascular impairment.”

BUFFALO, NY- October 8, 2024 – A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as “Aging (Albany NY)” and “Aging-US” by Web of Science), Volume 16, Issue 18 on September 18, 2024, entitled, “Determinants of cerebral blood flow and arterial transit time in healthy older adults.”

This research paper highlights that brain health deteriorates with age, particularly in terms of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT), key markers of brain vascular health. This decline can impair cognitive function and limit independence in later life—an issue that will affect many as the global population continues to age rapidly.

In their paper, researchers Jack Feron, Katrien Segaert, Foyzul Rahman, Sindre H. Fosstveit, Kelsey E. Joyce, Ahmed Gilani, Hilde Lohne-Seiler, Sveinung Berntsen, Karen J Mullinger, and Samuel J. E. Lucas from the University of Birmingham, University of Agder, and University of Nottingham aimed to identify modifiable determinants of CBF and ATT in healthy older adults (n = 78, aged 60–81 years). They also investigated the relationship between CBF, ATT, and cognitive function in older adults. 

The researchers hypothesized that markers of superior general health—such as higher cardiorespiratory fitness, handgrip strength, and grey matter volume, or lower age, BMI, and blood pressure—would be associated with greater CBF and shorter ATT.

Results from multiple linear regressions revealed that a higher BMI was associated with lower global cerebral blood flow (CBF) (β = −0.35, P = 0.008) and longer global arterial transit time (ATT) (β = 0.30, P = 0.017). Additionally, global ATT increased with age (β = 0.43, P = 0.004), while higher cardiorespiratory fitness was linked to longer ATT in the parietal (β = 0.44, P = 0.004) and occipital (β = 0.45, P = 0.003) regions. However, neither global nor regional CBF or ATT were associated with processing speed, working memory, or attention.

“In conclusion, preventing excessive weight gain may help attenuate age-related declines in brain vascular health.”

Corresponding Author: Jack Feron – [email protected]

Keywords: aging, arterial transit time, cardiorespiratory fitness, cerebral blood flow, cognitive function

About Aging:

The journal Aging aims to promote 1) treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, 2) validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, and 3) prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. (Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.)