Morphological and genetic decoding shows heterogeneous patterns of brain aging in chronic musculoskeletal pain
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What is Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
CMP is a leading cause of disability, affecting more than 40% of the world’s population and impacting patients’ cognitive function. Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, thus hampering prevention and treatment efforts, research indicates that inflammatory markers associated with brain aging are higher in CMP patients, suggesting a link between brain aging and CMP. In light of this finding, researchers led by Prof. TU Yiheng from the Institute of Psychology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with international experts, explored the profiles of brain aging patterns and underlying mechanisms in different types of CMP. Their study highlights the association between chronic knee pain, particularly from knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and accelerated brain aging.
Petrol Pump Attendants at High Risk for Musculoskeletal Pain, Headaches, and High BP
Petrol pump attendants are engaged in long hours of standing while at work in harsh temperatures amidst harmful chemicals, which puts them at high-risk for Musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and BP.
Petrol pump attendants are engaged in long hours of standing while at work in harsh temperatures amidst harmful chemicals, which puts them at high-risk for Musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and BP.
‘Researchers identified accelerated brain aging in patients and showed brain aging marker's predictive potential for future memory decline and higher dementia risk. #brainaging #dementia #memorydecline’
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Using structural MRI data from over 9,000 individuals, the researchers developed a brain age model to compare brain age to chronological age. They found that individuals with KOA, who were identified from both the UK Biobank and additional replication datasets from the local community, experienced more rapid brain aging than healthy individuals. In addition, brain regions responsible for human cognitive function, such as the hippocampus, were found to be associated with such accelerated brain aging. "We not only revealed the specificity of accelerated brain aging in KOA patients, but importantly, we also provided longitudinal evidence suggesting the ability of our brain aging marker to predict future memory decline and increased dementia risk," said Prof. TU, corresponding author of the study.
Moreover, the researchers delved into the genetic landscape and identified the gene SLC39A8 as a shared link between KOA and accelerated brain aging. This gene, which is particularly expressed in microglial cells and astrocytes, underscores the potential role of inflammation and neurodevelopment in the observed phenomena.
Worsening Symptoms for People With Musculoskeletal Pain in Lockdown
People with bone, joint and muscle pain have reported that their symptoms have worsened during the lockdown. People who experience loneliness and social isolation were also less likely to access healthcare.
People with bone, joint and muscle pain have reported that their symptoms have worsened during the lockdown. People who experience loneliness and social isolation were also less likely to access healthcare.
The collaboration between multidisciplinary teams across China and the United States underscores the global effort to understand and address the intertwined challenges of aging, chronic pain, and cognitive decline.
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- Morphological and genetic decoding shows heterogeneous patterns of brain aging in chronic musculoskeletal pain - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-024-00223-3)
Source-Eurekalert
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Dementia is a leading cause of disability in older people. It is a condition where brain cells are permanently damaged or functionally impaired. Till 2015, about 47.5 million people suffer from dementia across the globe. There are various conditions ...
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