Brain Problems in Middle Age Linked to Early Adult Inflammation

Inflammation in your 20s and 30s could increase your risk of memory and thinking problems in middle age, a new study says.

Inflammation is part of the body's natural defense mechanism. It is our immune system's response to infections and irritants and is an important part of the healing process. However, inflammation can also occur as a result of autoimmune conditions (where the immune system begins to attack our own body cells) and in response to unwanted substances in the body such as cigarette smoke, pollution and chemicals in our diets.

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When this inflammation continues over an extensive period of time, we may start to see problems.

Chronic inflammation has been associated with a range of diseases, including heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, asthma, metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, depression and neurodegenerative diseases.

Now, a new study from the University of California, San Francisco, has found that, even when we are young, chronic inflammation in our bodies could result in debilitating health problems later down the line.

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"Late-life inflammation has been linked to dementia risk and the earliest signs of cognitive decline, but less is known about inflammation in young adults and if this could influence cognition in midlife," study author Kristine Yaffe, a professor of psychiatry, neurology and epidemiology at the University of California, San Francisco, said in a statement.

"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 study, published in the journal Neurology, observed 2,364 participants between the ages of 24 to 58 over an 18-year period. Participants' inflammation levels were measured at the start of the study and three times during the study period. They were then divided into groups based on these inflammation levels: consistently higher, moderate or increasing, and lower and stable.

Five years after their last inflammation measurement, the participants were given six tests to examine their memory and thinking skills. After adjusting for factors such as age, physical activity and cholesterol, the researchers found that those in the high and moderate/increasing inflammation groups were more likely to perform poorly on tests for cognitive processing speed and executive function.

So, what can you do to reduce chronic inflammation? Various foods have been shown to reduce levels of inflammation in the body, including fruits and vegetables, fiber, spices, nuts and oily fish. Other foods, such as those that are ultra-processed or high in sugar, are better to avoid or eat in small quantities. Exercising regularly and getting enough sleep have both been demonstrated to reduce inflammation, as has learning how to manage stress to reduce chronically high levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

"Inflammation is important for cognitive aging and may begin much earlier than previously known," Yaffe said. "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 needed to improve early detection of those at highest risk of poor cognitive performance and to determine effective strategies to delay the process of cognitive aging by addressing the drivers of inflammation."

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