Washington DC [US], November 25 (ANI): Scientists discovered that more muscle and less hidden abdominal fat are linked to a younger biological brain age.

Deep visceral fat appeared to accelerate brain ageing, while muscle mass offered a protective effect. Researchers report that people who have more muscle and a lower visceral fat-to-muscle ratio tend to show signs of a younger biological brain age.

This conclusion comes from a study that will be presented next week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Visceral fat refers to the fat stored deep in the abdomen around key internal organs.

"Healthier bodies with more muscle mass and less hidden belly fat are more likely to have healthier, youthful brains. Better brain health, in turn, lowers the risk for future brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's." said senior study author Cyrus Raji, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of radiology and neurology in the Department of Radiology at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.

Brain age is an estimate of how old the brain appears biologically, based on its structure as seen through MRI. Body MRI can track muscle mass, which serves as a marker for efforts to reduce frailty and strengthen overall health.

Estimated brain age from structural scans may also shed light on risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, including muscle loss.

"While it is commonly known that chronological ageing translates to loss of muscle mass and increased hidden belly fat, this work shows that these health measures relate to brain ageing itself," Dr Raji said.

"It shows muscle and fat mass quantified in the body are key reflectors of brain health, as tracked with brain ageing," added Dr Raji

Study Details: Imaging, AI Analysis, and Participant Profile

The study evaluated 1,164 healthy adults (52% women) across four research sites using whole-body MRI.