Does calcification of intracranial carotid arteries accelerate brain aging?

A new study reveals that the buildup of calcium in the carotid arteries located inside the skull may play a key role in reducing the volume of certain brain regions. This calcification, observable from adulthood and increasing with age, is already known to increase the risks of stroke and dementia. However, its link to brain atrophy, a natural phenomenon of aging, remained poorly understood.

To better understand this relationship, scientists analyzed brain scans of more than 1,200 adults aged 40 to 92 from two indigenous populations in the Bolivian Amazon. These groups, the Tsimane and the Moseten, lead a very active traditional lifestyle and exhibit fewer cardiovascular risk factors than industrialized societies. The researchers focused on two aspects of calcification: its surface area, which reflects arterial stiffness, and its thickness, which indicates narrowing of the blood vessel.

The results show that the more extensive the calcified surface area, the greater the reduction in brain volume in several regions. The most affected areas are the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes, as well as deep structures such as the putamen, thalamus, and hippocampus. The latter, essential for memory and emotions, appear particularly vulnerable. In contrast, the thickness of the calcification seems to have a much lesser impact on brain volume loss.

This difference is explained by the fact that arterial stiffness, linked to the extension of the calcified surface, disrupts blood flow more than simple vessel narrowing. Hardened arteries lose their elasticity and struggle to adapt to variations in blood flow, which can reduce the supply of oxygen and nutrients to brain tissues. Conversely, a narrowed but flexible artery retains a better ability to maintain sufficient blood flow.

The brain regions supplied by the anterior and middle arteries, which arise directly from the internal carotids, are the most affected. In contrast, the occipital lobe, supplied by an independent posterior artery, shows no significant link with this calcification. This confirms that the damage closely depends on vascular anatomy.

These findings suggest that preserving arterial flexibility could be crucial in limiting age-related brain decline. They also open avenues for better understanding how vascular diseases contribute to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, the researchers emphasize the need for further studies to confirm these mechanisms and explore ways to prevent or slow down this process.

Content References

Official Reference

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-026-03918-9

Title: Segmentation and morphometry of intracranial internal carotid artery calcification in relation to brain atrophy

Journal: Neuroradiology

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Xiao Xu; Nikhil N. Chaudhari; Phoebe Imms; Nahian F. Chowdhury; Fangyun C. Liu; Jorge A. Solis Galvan; Bavrina Bigjahan; Grant Schleifer; Maria Ashna; Blake Hannagan; Giuseppe Barisano; Daniel K. Cummings; Daniel Eid Rodriguez; Paul L. Hooper; Edmond Seabright; Randall C. Thompson; Benjamin C. Trumble; Michael D. Gurven; Jonathan Stieglitz; Caleb E. Finch; M. Linda Sutherland; James D. Sutherland; Helena C. Chui; Margaret Gatz; Wendy J. Mack; Hillard S. Kaplan; Andrei Irimia