Neck muscle cross-sectional area, brain volume and cognition in healthy older men; a cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundTwo important consequences of the normal ageing process are sarcopenia (the age-related loss of muscle mass and function) and age-related cognitive decline. Existing data support positive relationships between muscle function, cognition and brain structure. However, studies investigating these relationships at older ages are lacking and rarely include a measure of muscle size. Here we test whether neck muscle size is positively associated with cognition and brain structure in older men.MethodsWe studied 51 healthy older men with mean age 73.8 (sd 1.5) years. Neck muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured from T1-weighted MR-brain scans using a validated technique. We measured multiple cognitive domains including verbal and visuospatial memory, executive functioning and estimated prior cognitive ability. Whole brain, ventricular, hippocampal and cerebellar volumes were measured with MRI. General linear models (ANCOVA) were performed.ResultsLarger neck muscle CSA was associated with less whole brain atrophy (t = 2.86, p = 0.01, partial eta squared 17%). Neck muscle CSA was not associated with other neuroimaging variables or current cognitive ability. Smaller neck muscle CSA was unexpectedly associated with higher prior cognition (t = −2.12, p < 0.05, partial eta squared 10%).ConclusionsIn healthy older men, preservation of whole brain volume (i.e. less atrophy) is associated with larger muscle size. Longitudinal ageing studies are now required to investigate these relationships further.

Skeletal Muscle Health and Cognitive Function: A Narrative Review

“…Results showed that a 5.9% loss of lean mass was associated with an increase in score from 2.1 to 3.0, indicating cognitive deterioration. A cross-sectional study of 51 healthy and community-dwelling older men in the United Kingdom (UK) reported conflicting results [ 40 ]. The study measured muscle volume in the neck area [ 41 ], general cognitive function using MMSE and cognitive domains of memory and executive function using Rey’s auditory–verbal declarative memory test and the controlled word association test, respectively [ 40 ].…”

“…An estimate of prior general cognitive ability was also assessed using Benton’s visual retention test (a test for visual memory) and the national adult reading test. This study found no association between neck muscle volume and cognitive abilities [ 40 ] and found that total muscle volume was negatively associated with estimated prior cognitive ability [ 40 ]. The results suggested that individuals with lower cognitive abilities are more likely to have larger muscle size as they age [ 40 ].…”

“…This study found no association between neck muscle volume and cognitive abilities [ 40 ] and found that total muscle volume was negatively associated with estimated prior cognitive ability [ 40 ]. The results suggested that individuals with lower cognitive abilities are more likely to have larger muscle size as they age [ 40 ]. The authors speculated that this finding may have been due to men with lower cognitive function being more likely to engage in manual work.…”

“…Mean lean mass did not differ between groups (normal cognitive function, MCI and dementia); thus, no significant association between lean mass and the risk of developing cognitive impairment was detected. However, the authors suggested that this lack of association may have been due to insufficient statistical power [ 40 , 42 ].…”

Sarcopenic obesity and cognitive performance

“… 16 , 17 In addition, reduced lean mass is associated with brain atrophy in AD 18 as well as in cognitively normal older populations. 19 Baseline sarcopenia predicts cognitive decline 20 and development of AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). 21 Neuropsychiatric symptoms are also more prevalent once MCI is diagnosed.…”