Scientists have reported early signs of brain damage

The phenomenon of early brain disorders has been identified in obese young adults. The researchers recorded inflammation, markers of neuron damage, and severe choline deficiency. This was reported on November 27 by Science Daily.

Choline is an essential nutrient needed for liver function, control of inflammation, and synthesis of acetylcholine, a key memory neurotransmitter. The body produces it only partially, so the main part must come from food. Researchers have identified biological signs in obese adults that are characteristic of cognitive impairments later in life. The participants had elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, enzymes indicating liver strain, and light chain neurofilament, a marker of neuron damage commonly seen in patients with cognitive decline.

Scientists have separately noted critically low levels of choline in the blood. The team found that a decrease in this nutrient is associated with increased inflammation, increased insulin resistance, and increased liver enzymes. Ramon Velasquez, the head of the study, said that choline should be considered as an important indicator of early metabolic disorders and neuronal health, emphasizing that the new data complement the body of work linking low choline with anxiety, memory disorders and systemic metabolic disorders.

According to the researchers, the appearance of such biomarkers at such a young age indicates that the negative effects of obesity on the brain may appear much earlier than the symptoms. The team notes that choline deficiency is especially significant for women, who showed the lowest levels of the nutrient in the sample and are statistically more likely to experience accelerated cognitive aging.

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The authors emphasized that many young people do not reach the recommended level of choline intake. The study involved 30 people aged 20 to 30 years, equally divided between groups with and without obesity. The analyses confirmed the systemic pattern: obese people had less choline and more signs of inflammation, stress, and early neuron damage. A comparison of the data with samples of patients with mild cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease showed similar patterns.

Jessica Judd, co-author of the study, noted that the findings show that maintaining metabolic health and adequate levels of choline at a young age can be the foundation for healthy brain aging.

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On October 22, Medical Xpress magazine announced the launch of the process of brain destruction due to multiple sclerosis long before the first symptoms appeared. According to the publication, before the development of clinical signs, the NfL protein (light chain neurofilament) appears in the human body, the presence of which indicates the destruction of neurons.

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