The study, published during the recent annual conference of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), showed that increasing muscle mass and reducing visceral fat in the body can significantly slow brain aging.
The study included 1,164 healthy volunteers who underwent comprehensive body and brain MRI scans. Using artificial intelligence, researchers calculated "brain age"—a structural indicator reflecting the degree of age-related changes. The researchers found that people with more muscle mass and a lower proportion of visceral fat compared to muscle mass had a "younger" brain, while subcutaneous fat had no effect on this indicator.
The researchers emphasized that muscle mass and visceral fat are modifiable factors, as lifestyle changes, such as exercise, diet, and therapeutic programs, can affect them.
Scientists said these findings could help develop more precise methods for preventing neurodegenerative diseases, and even improve obesity treatment programs, including GLP-1 drugs.
