14 DAY TRIAL // Anemia does not only affect the body but, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, it may also affect the brain. The team stated that the decreased oxygen delivery to the tissues in the body, due to a reduced number of blood cells, can cause mental impairment, besides physical symptoms common in anemia - such as fatigue, exhaustion, weakness, shortness of breath etc.
"Our work supports the notion that mild anemia may be an independent risk factor for so-called executive-function impairment in older adults. If further studies confirm that's true, this could mean that correction of anemia in these patients might offer a chance to prevent such a cognitive decline," said leader of the study Paulo Chaves, M.D., Ph.D.
Researchers suggested that the age-related decline of cognitive function may be linked to anemia. This is why the trial involved the evaluation of the brain's executive function (including one's ability of solving problems, planning, response control, decision-making etc.) in 364 women with ages ranging between 70 and 80. About 10% of the women who volunteered for the study suffered from mild anemia symptoms.
"Executive function impairment, which happens often before memory loss occurs, may happen early on in the process of becoming unable to carry on with instrumental day-to-day living activities, such as shopping, cooking, taking medications, paying bills, walking, etc." explained Dr. Chaves.
Findings which were also published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society showed that participants who were mild anemia patients were 4 to 5 time more likely to perform worse in the cognitive function evaluation tests than their counterparts who had a normal number of red blood cells and consequently a normal level of blood hemoglobin. However, the results do not prove that anemia is one of the key-factors triggering mental abilities impairment, noted the researching team. Further studies are needed before concluding on what is the exact connection between anemia and the decline of brain's executive function.
"These preliminary results don't prove that anemia causes impaired executive function, nor indicate that treatment of anemia would necessarily lead to better executive function. However, they are compelling enough to serve as a roadmap for continued research," the Johns Hopkins scientists concluded.