Signs of ageing linked to blockages in brain

COMMON signs of ageing such as shaking hands, a stooped posture and walking slowly may be due to hidden blood vessel blockages in the brain, research finds.

A postmortem study revealed microscopic lesions in 30% of the brains of people with no history of stroke or neurological disease.

The lesions, too small to be detected by brain scans, were present in large numbers in those who had the most trouble walking.

Two thirds of the brains studied had at least one blood vessel abnormality.

The findings suggest a possible link between the blocked vessels and signs of ageing, say the scientists.

Lead researcher Dr Aron Buchman, from Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago said: “The public health implications are significant because we are not identifying the 30% who have undiagnosed small vessel disease that is not picked up by current technology. We need additional tools in order to identify this population.”

In 1994, the scientists began conducting annual medicals on 1,100 older nuns and priests. Participants also donated their brains for examination after death.