Diabetes and hypertension could help perpetuate rates of dementia, particularly amongst Black Americans, according to a new medical study.
Reported on Monday, the study was conducted by University of Georgia researchers. As part of the study, over 250 participants with high blood pressure, diabetes or both conditions were chosen. The study prioritized focusing on Black Americans, as previous research has found that they experience cognitive decline at higher rates at younger ages.
In their results, researchers found that, while having just diabetes or high blood pressure did not have an impact, having both at midlife was associated with elevated levels of a biomarker of dementia. The presence of both led to a greater increase across an 11-year span.
Per the researchers, a greater focus on cardiovascular health, particularly amongst Black Americans, is needed when assessing the risks of dementia.
“This distinction is important because it suggests that strategies aimed at preventing or slowing cognitive decline in Black Americans may need to prioritize prevention and management of vascular diseases beginning in midlife,” said the co-author of the study and an associate research scientist at UGA, Mei Ling Ong, per a statement. “Early intervention for these chronic health conditions could significantly protect brain health and reduce the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases later in life.”
The latest study comes amidst several research centers losing their funding for Alzheimer’s research.
In late March, Democratic lawmakers announced that 14 out of 35 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers had their funding stopped by the National Institute of Health. This came as $65 million in research funding was halted by the administration.
The pause was made as investigations into diversity, equity and inclusion were conducted. Nearly 12 Alzheimer’s disease research centers are currently waiting for federal funds to be renewed as of April, according to CNN.
With the cuts to funding, nonprofit UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is tracking which centers are no longer funded, emphasizing that a lack of support means that researchers are getting further away from finding a cure.
“In the last 10 years, there have been groundbreaking advances in Alzheimer’s disease research, in understanding where the disease comes from, and understanding how to diagnose the disease, and ultimately in how to treat the disease. But we don’t have a cure yet,” said Russ Paulsen, chief operating officer at UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, per CNN. “In looking through the list of grants that have been affected, it appears to cut across prevention, diagnosis, treatment and ultimately seeking a cure, as well as understanding the basics of the disease to start with.”
