Scientists have found that people in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease may be more likely to have a low body mass index (BMI) than those who are dementia-free.Researchers at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in the US studied 506 people, using advanced brain imaging techniques and analyses of their cerebrospinal fluid to look for signs of Alzheimer's disease.
Participants included a range of people, from those with no memory problems to individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
The researchers discovered that people with no memory problems who had biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease were more likely to have a low BMI than those without the biomarkers.
Study author Dr Jeffrey Burns, whose findings are published in Neurology journal, said: 'These results suggest Alzheimer's disease brain changes are associated with systemic metabolic changes in the very earliest phases of the disease.
'This might be due to damage in the area of the brain called the hypothalamus that plays a role in regulating energy metabolism and food intake.'
Dr Anne Corbett, research manager at the Alzheimer's Society, said that it is not yet clear whether a low BMI is part of Alzheimer's disease or a side-effect of the illness.
She added that more work is needed before scientists can say for sure whether the findings could be used to develop better ways of diagnosing the early stages of Alzheimer's.
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