A method found to predict dementia risk based on muscle quality## Contribution GuidelinesThank you for your interest in contributing to our project! We welcome contributions from everyone, regardless of skill level or background. Here are some guidelines

Japanese researchers have discovered a link between muscle quality and the risk of developing dementia. The key indicator turned out to be the phase angle (PhA), determined using bioimpedance analysis and reflecting the condition of cells and the quality of muscle tissue. The results of the study were published in the authoritative scientific journal Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle (JCSM).

While previous scientific works focused on the relationship between decreased muscle mass and strength with dementia in elderly people, scientists from Japan for the first time focused on middle-aged people (from 40 years). This age period is considered critical, when the first signs of cognitive decline may appear and there is a possibility of timely intervention.

263 volunteers participated in the large-scale study. Specialists assessed the mass and quality of participants' muscles, measured grip strength, and conducted cognitive testing using MoCA-J – the Japanese version of an international test that evaluates memory, attention, speech skills, and executive functions.

The key conclusion of the study: a higher phase angle is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairments, and this pattern was especially pronounced in women. In males, this relationship mainly affected memory, while in women it covered a wider range of cognitive functions – memory, speech, attention, and other abilities.

"Our study showed that the phase angle can be useful not only for assessing muscle mass deterioration but also as a marker of early cognitive decline," explained Dr. Ikeue.

Given that measuring the phase angle is a quick and painless procedure, researchers suggest including this indicator in the annual medical examination program. This approach will allow identifying the risks of cognitive impairments at the earliest stages, long before noticeable symptoms appear. Moreover, targeted improvement of muscle tissue quality through physical activity and proper nutrition can become an effective strategy for preventing dementia.

"It is especially important to consider this data when working with women, as the connection between muscle quality and brain function turned out to be particularly pronounced in them," added Ikeue.