NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • A Guide to What We do
    • Strategic Partnership Board
    • Steering Committee
    • Current Vacancies
    • Contact Us
    • Stay in Touch
  • Research
        • Antimicrobial Resistance and Modernising Microbiology
        • Cardiovascular
        • Clinical Informatics and Big Data
        • Diabetes and Metabolism
        • Gastroenterology and Mucosal Immunity
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Haematology and Stem Cells
        • Imaging
        • Molecular Diagnostics
        • Multi-Modal Cancer Therapies
        • Multi-Morbidity and Long-Term Conditions
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Neurological Conditions
        • Obesity, Diet and Lifestyle
        • Partnerships for Health, Wealth and Innovation
        • Respiratory
        • Stroke and Vascular Dementia
        • Surgical Innovation and Evaluation
        • Technology and Digital Health
        • Vaccines for Emerging and Endemic Diseases
  • Patient & Public Involvement
        • About Patient & Public Involvement

        • Our work with patients and the public
        • Our Work with Schools
        • Patient Involvement Blog
        • External Links
        • For Patients, Carers & Members of the Public

        • About Patients Active in Research
        • Listings for Patients Active in Research
        • Register interest in involvement
        • Patient and Public Involvement Workshops 2019/20
        • Oxford Blood Group (within Haematology & Stem Cells research theme)
        • For Researchers

        • PPI Strategy
        • A Researcher's Guide to PPI
        • PPI Resources for Researchers
        • PPI Briefing Notes for Researchers
        • PPI Case Studies
        • Post a Listing for Patient & Public Involvement
  • Professional & Training
        • Professional Partnerships
        • Case Studies – Early Careers Researchers
          • Early Career Profile: Teresa Lambe
          • Early Career Profile: Dr Jasmina Cehajic Kapetanovic
          • Early Career Profile: Sara Khalid
          • Early Career Profile: Chantal Hargreaves
          • Early Career Profile: Kate Tudor
        • Useful Links
        • Research Education and Training
        • Support from the NIHR Oxford BRC
          • Oxford BRC Small Grants in Health Sciences
          • Doctoral awards for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals
          • Senior Fellows Competition
          • Training bursaries for affiliated research nurses, midwives, scientists and allied health professionals
          • Preparatory research career fellowships for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals
        • Funding from other Providers
        • Training Opportunities
        • Education Resources
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • What Can We Do For Your Organisation?
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • IP and Licensing
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

News

You are here: Home > Cardiovascular > Lifestyle factors linked to brain health of young adults

Lifestyle factors linked to brain health of young adults

23 August 2018 · Listed under Cardiovascular, Imaging

Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin
Share

Researchers at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital have used advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate whether factors such as blood pressure, fitness, smoking and alcohol intake during young adult life are associated with changes in the blood vessels inside the brain.

The University of Oxford researchers, supported by the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, collaborated with researchers from Canada and the Universities of Bristol and London on the research, which was published on 21 August in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study, which was also funded by the British Heart Foundation and Wellcome Trust, took place at the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Facility at the John Radcliffe and involved 125 young adults between the ages of 18 and 40 years.

Participants with healthier cardiovascular risk profiles, such as those with optimal blood pressure who are following the UK’s Chief Medical Officers’ public health guidelines for exercise participation and lower alcohol intake were found to have higher density of blood vessels in the brain as well as higher brain blood flow and fewer white matter hyperintensity lesions, which have been associated with a higher risk of stroke and dementia in later life.

Professor Paul Leeson, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Oxford, who led the research, commented: “We have known for some time that lifestyle during young adult life is relevant to the health of the heart.

“This new research is exciting because we have been able to show that similar factors may also be impacting on the health of the brain, decades earlier than previously anticipated.”

Dr Wilby Williamson, Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician and Clinical Research Fellow in Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Oxford, who helped deliver the study and is a co-author commented: “Young adult cardiovascular health is often a neglected area. This study is a first step towards personalised risk assessment so we can better inform people about steps to improve their future brain health.”

The study suggests that regular exercise, sensible drinking, not smoking and keeping blood pressure at healthy levels can have significant benefits for both heart and brain disease and that health choices have real impact and benefits at any age.

“It demonstrates the power and utility of medical imaging to better understand how specific risk factors relate to early brain changes,” said study co-author Dr Adam Lewandowski, who is funded by the Oxford BRC.

Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “The risk of heart disease and stroke is known to be affected by external factors from early childhood onwards even though clinical events usually occur only in later life.

“This study in healthy young adults shows clearly that there are already detectable changes in blood vessels in the brain likely to increase risk of subsequent stroke in those with the highest level of modifiable risk factors such as smoking and high BMI. It strengthens the evidence that leading a lifestyle to keep your heart healthy is important throughout life.”

The research team are currently using the advanced imaging techniques available at the John Radcliffe in a trial in young adults with higher blood pressure. The study will help determine the best ways to change lifestyle to improve brain and heart health.

← Fourth digital health product developed as part of Sensyne agreement
Study shows new technology can predict fatal heart attacks →

News

  • All-singing all-dancing research at the Oxford Science and Ideas Festival 31 October 2019
  • Promising therapy for common form of eczema identified in early-stage trial 24 October 2019
  • Severe reactions to grief can be predicted and treated in the first months following a bereavement 8 October 2019
See full news archive

News Categories

Month Archives

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced bimonthly and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at obrcenquiries@ouh.nhs.uk

  • Sitemap
  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Cookies

This site uses cookies See our data control and privacy page