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St. Louis, USA – A groundbreaking study from the Washington University School of Medicine has revealed that an ageing brain may be responsible for the cognitive difficulties faced by people with sickle cell disease (SCD). This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms underlying memory, focus, and problem-solving challenges experienced by patients with this genetic blood disorder.
Sickle cell disease, characterised by the presence of abnormal haemoglobin (Hb), is known to cause chronic health complications. Now, new evidence highlights its impact on brain health, even in the absence of a stroke—previously considered a primary risk factor for cognitive decline in SCD patients.
The Study
Researchers examined over 200 young adults, both with and without SCD, using brain MRI scans and cognitive assessments. A cutting-edge brain-age prediction tool, trained on MRI data from over 14,000 healthy individuals, was used to estimate the “brain age” of participants.
Results, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that individuals with SCD had brains appearing an average of 14 years older than their actual chronological age. Those with more aged-appearing brains consistently scored lower on cognitive tests, demonstrating the impact of accelerated brain ageing on cognitive performance.
Economic Deprivation and Brain Health
The study also explored the effects of economic deprivation on brain structure. Among healthy individuals, poverty alone was associated with a seven-year gap between actual age and brain age. This highlights the detrimental effects of socioeconomic stressors on neurological health, regardless of the presence of SCD.
“Sickle cell disease is congenital, chronically depriving the developing brain of oxygen and possibly affecting its growth from birth,” explained Dr. Andria Ford, Professor of Neurology at Washington University. “Additionally, children exposed to long-term economic deprivation and poverty experience cognitive challenges that affect their academic performance.”
Implications for Treatment
The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the dual burden of sickle cell disease and economic hardship on brain health. Researchers emphasize the potential of brain imaging tools, like MRI scans, to provide critical insights into neurological conditions and guide the development of treatments to preserve cognitive function.
“This research highlights the importance of understanding how SCD and socioeconomic factors shape brain structure,” Ford added. “Our goal is to identify treatments and preventive measures that can protect cognitive abilities and improve quality of life.”
The study calls for further research into the long-term effects of SCD on brain ageing and cognitive health, with hopes of unlocking new avenues for patient care and support.
