Excess fat in certain areas of the human body could make people more prone to neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, a new study suggests.

The study, published in the journal Neurology — the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology — linked higher levels of body fat in the arms and belly with a greater chance of developing these conditions.

In another key finding, people who have more muscle strength were at lower risk of developing these diseases.

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“Overall, the key takeaway message from our study finding is that body composition and cardiovascular diseases may be potential targets for preventing neurodegenerative diseases,” said lead study author Shishi Xu, a clinician in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at West China Hospital of Sichuan University, in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The study group that had higher levels of belly fat had a 13% greater chance of developing neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s compared to those with lower levels, the researchers found.

Participants with higher levels of arm fat had an 18% higher risk.

Those with high muscle strength were 26% less likely to develop these types of diseases than those with low levels of strength, according to Xu. 

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Cardiovascular disease risk plays a role, too, she said.

“If you are exposed to adverse body composition patterns, such as belly fat, you will have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, which significantly increases your risk of future neurodegenerative diseases,” Xu said. 

Higher levels of body fat in the arms and belly were linked to a greater chance of developing neurological conditions. (iStock)

“On contrast, actively preventing CVDs at an early stage after exposure to adverse body composition patterns may decrease your future risk of neurodegenerative diseases by 10.7% to 35.3%.”

Dr. James Galvin, director of the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health at the University of Miami Health System, was not involved in the study, but said the findings did not surprise him.

“Body composition and cardiovascular diseases may be potential targets for preventing neurodegenerative diseases.”

“This is consistent with a body of literature suggesting a bidirectional relationship between brain and body,” he told Fox News Digital.

“Loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) and increase in body fat, particularly visceral fat, are risk factors for cognitive impairment.”

Potential limitations

In observational studies like this one, it can be tough to distinguish between correlation or causation, Xu said.

“Although we have made significant efforts in this study to approach a causal relationship, we acknowledge that residual reverse causation may still bias our findings,” she told Fox News Digital.

Taking steps to achieve healthier body composition may be more effective for preventing neurological diseases than general weight control, researchers said. (iStock)

Although the study suggests that body composition and cardiovascular diseases may be potential targets for preventing neurodegenerative diseases, Xu noted that more evidence is needed to confirm that these are causal risk factors.

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Galvin noted that another major limitation of the study was the lack of diversity in the sample. 

“This is unfortunate, as obesity is an important risk factor in many minoritized populations, and our own research has demonstrated that physical frailty is an important mediator of cognitive decline in African American older adults,” he said.

Recommended lifestyle changes

Based on the findings, the researchers said, taking steps to achieve healthier body composition — such as reducing belly and arm fat while promoting healthy muscle development — may be more effective for preventing neurological diseases than general weight control. 

“Lifestyle modifications like engaging in resistance training, reducing sedentary behavior and adhering to a balanced diet can be effective in reducing abdominal fat as well as enhancing muscle strength, which may potentially offer greater neuroprotective benefits than weight-focused anti-obesity medications,” Xu said.

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The researchers also stated that early management of cardiovascular diseases may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

The quality or distribution of muscle and fat, rather than the absolute weight, may be more important for your health, according to researchers. (iStock)

The quality or distribution of muscle and fat, rather than the absolute weight, may be more important for your health, according to Xu.

“In recent years, due to the widespread use and even abuse of weight-loss drugs, people have become overly concerned with overall weight and often overlook the key role of different body components,” she said.

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Muscle strength is often overlooked, the researcher noted.

“Our current study findings highlight that enhancing muscle strength is important and may potentially offer neuroprotective benefits,” she said. 

“Our current study findings highlight that enhancing muscle strength is important and may potentially offer neuroprotective benefits,” the researcher said.  (iStock)

“Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and enhancing your muscle strength are crucial.”

Galvin agreed, recommending that people should focus on reducing body fat while maintaining skeletal muscle by adding resistance and flexibility training and changing nutrition patterns. 

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Added the doctor, “As we learn more about the impact of lifestyle on brain health and risk of disease, it is increasingly evident that there are many ways to build a better brain as we age.”

• A new study found that smokers with type 2 diabetes taking Ozempic had fewer tobacco-related medical encounters compared to those using other diabetes medications.
• The study, based on electronic health records of nearly 229,000 patients, suggests a potential link between Ozempic and reduced tobacco use.
• Reports indicated that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, might reduce smoking desire by affecting nicotine’s reward effects.

Smokers with type 2 diabetes taking Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic had fewer tobacco-related medical encounters and fewer interventions to help them quit smoking than those who received other diabetes drugs, according to a study of electronic health records published on Monday.

In the year after starting treatment, Ozempic users with a previous diagnosis of tobacco use disorder were up to 32% less likely to discuss tobacco use with a healthcare provider than those taking other diabetes medications. This was true even compared with those taking medicines in the same class, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, researchers reported in Annals of Internal Medicine.

They were also up to 68% less likely to receive prescriptions for smoking cessation medication and up to 21% less likely to receive smoking cessation counseling.

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The findings were drawn from electronic health record data on nearly 229,000 patients, including 6,000 recipients of Ozempic.

The researchers called for clinical trials to evaluate the potential of the drug’s active ingredient, semaglutide, for use in smoking cessation to backup the findings from this study sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

They noted earlier reports have suggested a reduced desire to smoke in patients treated with semaglutide, possibly related to a dampening of addictive nicotine’s reward effects in the brain. Novo’s wildly popular weight-loss drug Wegovy has the same active ingredient.

The current study did not include data showing whether patients actually stopped or decreased tobacco use after starting on the various drugs.

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While the observed reduction in tobacco disorder-related encounters might suggest reductions in tobacco use or relapses, it “could also reflect other scenarios, such as a reduced willingness to seek help to quit smoking,” the researchers acknowledged.

The classes of diabetes drugs looked at in the study included insulins, metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones and other GLP-1’s than Ozempic.

Ever since Thomas Matthew Crooks attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump on July 13, a picture has emerged of his social behaviors and possible mental state.

Some residents of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania — the small Pittsburgh suburb where Crooks lived with his parents — have described the shooter, 20, as a “loner” when speaking to local news outlets.

An evaluation of Crooks’ phone revealed that he had previously searched for symptoms of depressive disorder, according to reports.

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During a press conference call with reporters on Monday, Kevin Rojak, special agent in charge at the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, described Crooks as a “loner, as far as his association or any other activities related to his mental state.”

“His primary social circle appears to be limited to his immediate family, as we believe he had few friends and acquaintances throughout his life,” Rojak said.

Jason Kohler, who attended the same high school as Crooks, described the shooter to Fox News as an “outcast” who was always alone and was “bullied every day.”

Kohler told reporters that Crooks sat alone at lunchtime and was mocked for his clothing, which often included “hunting outfits.”

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Looking back, some classmates said, there were warning signs that Crooks could have had the capacity to plan the type of violent attack that left one man dead, wounded two people critically and injured a former president of the United States.

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania.  (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“The signs were there, and somebody definitely had to have known,” said Vincent Taormina, another former classmate of Crooks, in a previous interview with Fox News Digital.

When is a loner dangerous?

Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and author, pointed out that many loners are “absolutely harmless.”

“Being a loner in itself is not at all a dangerous trait,” he told Fox News Digital via email on Monday. “Withdrawing from society and extreme isolation can be indicative of depression, and that’s it.”

In some cases, however, people who are known to be loners can be “quite disturbed,” Alpert noted. 

“Being a loner in itself is not at all a dangerous trait,” a psychologist said. “Withdrawing from society and extreme isolation can be indicative of depression.” (iStock)

“Any extreme behavior or erratic shifts in mood suggest emotional instability and should not be taken lightly, especially if the person has a history of hostility directed at others or society,” the expert said.

“Enter into the mix obsessions with violence, weapons or death — and you have an individual with potential to inflict harm on others.”

“Any extreme behavior or erratic shifts in mood suggest emotional instability and should not be taken lightly.”

Paranoid or delusional thinking can heighten the risk, Alpert warned, from these individuals — “especially if they think they have a special mission to carry out or if they think others are out to get them.”

“Everyone needs to feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves, and that they have people who care about them,” a mental health professional said. (iStock)

Dr. Judy Ho, associate professor and IRB chair at Pepperdine University in California, agreed that preferring to be alone is often just a personality trait, and not always a sign of potential danger.

“Sometimes people like to have some alone time to recharge, because being with people all the time is exhausting to them,” she said. 

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“This is the traditional ‘introvert’ style, where they do like being with people in small doses and tend to feel more relaxed when they have ample alone time.”

Some people also tend to isolate due to depression, she noted, which often comes with signs of a down mood, loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy, irritability, low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness, sleep and appetite changes, complaints of fatigue, and/or even suicidal ideation or self-harm attempts.

Thomas Matthew Crooks, the would-be assassin of former President Donald J. Trump, graduated from Bethel Park High School in 2022. (Obtained by Fox News Digital)

“A more dangerous ‘loner’ mentality would involve some specific elements, such as acting like they are harboring a big secret, expressing that they feel disenfranchised or lost, or having strong feelings of people ‘wronging’ them and expressing wishes that people should pay for these types of bad deeds,” Ho said.

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Other telltale signs might include lacking a specific purpose or drive, desiring power but feeling like they lack it, and spending hours studying conspiracy theories or getting into hobbies that have some sense of danger or riskiness to them, according to Ho. 

Judy Gaman, CEO of Executive Medicine of Texas and a healthy living expert, reiterated the distinction.

“Everyone gets the blues from time to time, and depression can be linked to many things such as trauma or hormone fluctuations,” she told Fox News Digital. 

“The loner type personality is anti-social, often angry at the world or a specific group of people, and may have a history of being bullied or abused as a child,” an expert said. (iStock)

“Transient mood changes are far different than the personality disorders that are seen in what we often term ‘loners,'” she went on. 

“The loner type personality is anti-social, often angry at the world or a specific group of people, and may have a history of being bullied or abused as a child.”

5 tips for handling ‘loner’ behavior in others

If you suspect that someone you know is a loner and exhibits the warning signs shared above, there are steps you can take to help avoid escalation.

1. Carefully assess the situation

“Take note of the specific behaviors and patterns that lead you to believe he or she poses a threat,” Alpert suggested. 

As part of this assessment, it’s important to avoid acting on assumptions, he added.

“The stigma against mental illness is still really prevalent, so sometimes knowing they are not judged for sharing their vulnerabilities will mean everything to them,” an expert said. (Bethel Park School District; iStock)

“All too often, people are quick to conclude, erroneously, that someone is prone to certain behaviors simply based on how they look — for example, not everyone dressed in black is potentially a school shooter,” Alpert said.   

2. Have a sit-down without judgment

The best way to begin, according to Ho, is to share observations of some concerning behaviors without interpreting what those behaviors might mean. 

“Express that you are concerned about the person and ask what’s going on, and allow silence so they can fill the space and share their thoughts,” she advised.

3. Offer help

“Once they’ve shared, ask what you can do to help, rather than assuming what you should do, or what you might want, because it can be different than what they really want,” Ho recommended.

Consider volunteering to go with the person to talk to a mental health professional or other trusted individuals if they are open to that, the doctor suggested. 

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“The stigma against mental illness is still really prevalent, so sometimes knowing they are not judged for sharing their vulnerabilities will mean everything to them,” Ho added.

4. Know when to contact authorities

If you truly suspect that someone poses a danger to others, it’s best to avoid direct confrontation with the person, Alpert said.

If you suspect that someone you know is a loner and exhibits the warning signs shared above, there are steps you can take to help avoid escalation, experts say. (iStock)

“You don’t want to set them off,” the expert warned. “Instead, contact the authorities with your concerns.”

Teachers, parents and health care providers should all be paying extra attention to mental health warning signs, added Gaman.

5. See something, say something

“We often don’t want to intrude or violate someone’s privacy, but by saying something when you see something concerning — whether to the person directly and/or to law enforcement — you can possibly save their lives as well as those of others,” Ho said. 

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“Don’t underestimate what you can do to help someone who is suffering. Just lending a helping ear is often enough for them to step back and see the big picture, and find a reason for hope and to continue on.”

“By saying something when you see something concerning … you can possibly save their lives as well as those of others.”

If Crooks’ isolation was a factor in his decision to commit the attempted assassination on July 13, that highlights the importance of social support for mental health, experts agree.

“Community is important to all people,” Ho told Fox News Digital.

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“Everyone needs to feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves, and that they have people who care about them,” she went on.

“Even if it is just a very small group of friends, it’s important for every human being to feel like they have a few trusted individuals they can rely on.”

Audrey Conklin and Christina Coulter, both of Fox News Digital, contributed reporting.

Exposure to wildfire smoke could increase the risk of dementia, researchers have discovered.

A 10-year study of more than 1.2 million people in southern California — an area experiencing frequent wildfire activity — found that wildfire smoke can be “particularly hazardous” for brain health.

The Alzheimer’s Association announced the findings during the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia on Monday.

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The study found that wildfire smoke increases dementia risk more than other types of air pollution, including emissions from motor vehicles and factories called fine particle matter (PM2.5), according to a press release from the Alzheimer’s Association.

The microscopic droplets in wildfire smoke were found to have a “notably stronger” effect on dementia risk with even less exposure, the researchers found.

High levels of PM2.5 also have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, asthma and low birth weight.

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The study analyzed data from Californians age 60 years or older between 2009 and 2019, determining the participants’ exposure according to where they lived.

The researchers observed a 21% increase in the likelihood of dementia diagnosis for every 1 microgram increase of PM2.5 per meter.

Researchers analyzed the health records of 1,227,241 southern Californians, none of whom had been diagnosed with dementia at the start of the study. (iStock)

Dr. Claire Sexton, senior director of scientific programs and outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association, told Fox News Digital that exposure to air pollution is known to be bad for brain health, as previous reports have linked PM2.5 to dementia.

“Each year, approximately 44 million people are exposed to unhealthy air quality due to wildfires worldwide.”

Improving air quality could help to protect cognitive function and reduce dementia risk, according to Sexton. 

“Each year, approximately 44 million people are exposed to unhealthy air quality due to wildfires worldwide,” she said. “Wildfires are increasing around the globe in frequency, severity and duration.”

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This new study highlighted several reasons that wildfire smoke is more dangerous, Sexton said.

Wildfire smoke is produced at higher temperatures and contains a greater concentration of toxic chemicals compared to other forms of air pollution, she noted.

Trees burn during the Park Fire near Chico, California, on July 26, 2024. (Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Wildfire smoke also produces a smaller diameter of PM2.5 than other sources, Sexton added.

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“With the rising global incidence of wildfires — including current wildfires in California, Oregon, Alaska and the southwestern U.S. — exposure to wildfire smoke is an increasing threat to brain health.”

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Research shows that on “poor air quality days” in California, air pollution produced by wildfires accounts for more than 70% of total fine particulate exposure, according to Sexton.

A firefighter watches a prescribed burn as the Max Fire burns in Lancaster, California, June 16, 2024. (DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)

“This is a real problem,” she said. 

To lower the risk of exposure, Sexton recommends that people update their home air filtration systems and stay inside during periods of unhealthy air quality.

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Researchers also suggest wearing an N95 mask outdoors when the Air Quality Index is over 100.

A simple blood test has been shown to detect Alzheimer’s disease in routine health care settings with up to 90% accuracy, according to Swedish researchers.

The findings were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia on Sunday.

The test works by measuring the levels of Plasma Phospho-Tau217, a biomarker that is linked to the presence of Alzheimer’s pathology in the brain.

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It has been shown to detect the disease even before the person begins experiencing symptoms, researchers say.

“The tested blood test can detect Alzheimer’s disease with high accuracy even in real-life settings in primary care,” said study author Oskar Hansson, M.D., head of the Clinical Memory Research Unit at Lund University, Sweden, in an email to Fox News Digital.

It is currently difficult for primary care physicians to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease due to a lack of adequate tools, he said. 

In the most recent study — also published in the journal JAMA — 1,213 people who were experiencing mild memory loss were evaluated by either primary care doctors or memory specialists. 

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The patients then underwent both the blood test and cerebrospinal fluid tests, and researchers compared the results.

“Primary care doctors’ accuracy in identifying Alzheimer’s disease was 61%, while specialist physicians were correct 73% of the time,” study author Sebastian Palmqvist, associate professor of neurology at Lund University, stated in a press release.

By comparison, the blood test had an accuracy of 90%.

It is currently difficult for primary care physicians to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease because of a lack of adequate tools, according to researchers. (iStock)

“I was surprised by how well the blood test worked in real-life settings in primary care, where the patients are older and have more comorbidities like kidney disease, which can affect the blood test results,” Hansson told Fox News Digital.

The main limitation of the research was that it was only conducted in Sweden. 

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“We need studies in the U.S. and other countries to better understand the generalizability of the findings,” Hansson said.

“I think it will take one or two years before there are clinical guidelines in place for use of blood tests in primary care.”

Looking ahead, there is a need for clear guidelines on how doctors should use these tests in clinical practice, according to the researchers. 

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“My prediction is that highly accurate blood tests will very soon be recommended for use in patients with cognitive impairment who are assessed at clinics specialized in memory disorders,” Hansson said. 

The blood test could help to reduce the need for more advanced and expensive methods, like PET scans and cerebrospinal tests. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

This could help to reduce the need for more advanced and expensive methods, like PET scans and cerebrospinal tests.

“I think it will take one or two years before there are clinical guidelines in place for use of blood tests in primary care,” Hansson also noted. 

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The researchers do not currently recommend screenings for “cognitively normal people” — as there are not any approved treatments for people with Alzheimer’s disease pathology who do not have cognitive impairment, the researcher said.

“My prediction is that highly accurate blood tests will very soon be recommended for use in patients with cognitive impairment who are assessed at clinics specialized in memory disorders,” a researcher predicted. (iStock)

Added Hansson, “Further, we propose that the blood test should be used as an adjunct to, and not replacement for, the clinical assessments used today.”

Approximately one in five women and one in 10 men develop dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

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The condition is misdiagnosed in 25% to 35% of patients who are treated at specialized clinics, previous studies have shown — and researchers believe that number is even higher for patients assessed by their primary care physicians.