BLOOD AND COGNITIVE DECLINE: THERE IS A REPORT
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With aging, the amount of gray matter in the brain decreases and the magnitude of this reduction seems to be related to the type of blood group.
A pioneering study conducted by leading researchers at the University of Sheffield has revealed that the blood groups play an important role in the development of the nervous system and can cause a higher risk of developing cognitive decline.
The research, carried out in collaboration with the Fondazione IRCCS San Camillo Hospital in Venice, shows that people with blood type 'O' have more gray matter in the brain, which helps protect against diseases such as Alzheimer's, compared to those with 'A', 'B' or blood type 'AB'.
The researcher Matteo De Marco and Professor Annalena Venneri, by the Department of Neurosciences of the University, made the discovery after analyzing the results of 189 healthy men and women undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The researchers calculated the volume of gray matter in the brain and explored the differences between the different types of blood group. The findings, published in "Brain Research Bulletin", show that individuals with a blood group 'O' have more gray matter in the posterior cerebellum proportion. Those with 'A', 'B' or blood types 'AB' had lower volumes of gray matter in the temporal regions and the limbic brain, including the hippocampus left: the first part of the brain affected by Alzheimer's disease.
As we age the reduction in the volume of gray matter in the brain it is normal, but the difference in gray matter between blood groups intensifies this effect of aging.
"The results seem to indicate that people who have a blood type 'O' are more protected against diseases in the occurrence of a reduction in volume of the brain, as in Alzheimer's disease," said Matthew DeMarco. "The test, however, need for further research to understand Whoelse biological mechanisms might be involved."
Professor Annalena Venneri added: "What we know today is that there is a significant difference in volume. In all likelihood, the biology of blood groups influence the development of the nervous system: we now need to understand how and why this happens."
Source: Worldhealth
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