Corpulence is unhealthy! But under certain circumstances a few extra pounds can prove advantageous. People with a lower body mass index (BMI) face a greater risk of common age-related dementia progressing into Alzheimer's Disease or other forms of profound dementia. The findings are a result of a Milan University study in collaboration with the Karolinska Institute of Stockholm being presented today at the 20th Annual Meeting of the European Neurological Society (ENS 2010).

Thin people statistically face higher risks of dementia

Researchers examined a total of 245 patients averaging 74 years old who had been suffering from mild cognitive impairment for approximately two-and-a-half years. The mental capabilities of about half the patients remained stable during that period. About two thirds of those whose condition had deteriorated developed Alzheimer's Disease. The remaining third developed another form of dementia. Those whose cognitive disturbance deteriorated had a significantly lower BMI (mean value of 23.81) than those whose condition had remained unchanged (BMI mean of 25.47). Especially significant was the elevated risk of deterioration among those patients with a BMI of 23 or under.

Correlation still unexplained

"The conclusion that corpulence can suddenly be recommended is false, of course," warns Dr. Francesca Clerici, principal author of the study (Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Milan). "First of all, the elevated cardiovascular risk among overweight people remains an unaltered fact. And secondly, our observational study shows a statistical but as yet no causal connection. Additional studies will be needed to demonstrate whether or not body composition is a cause of dementia's progression or, conversely, that progressive dementia is a cause of weight loss - perhaps due to a patient's losing his or her appetite."

Source:European Neurological Society