The overweight status or obesity can be confirmed through classical methods such as the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Apart from metabolic issues such as atherosclerosis, liver steatosis, or diabetes mellitus, long-term obesity or overweight status can pose a risk for cardiovascular and neurovascular complications. While some acute adverse events like coronary syndromes of strokes are well-documented to be linked to an increased body mass, there are also chronic processes that, due to their silent onset and evolution, are underdiagnosed and not as thoroughly studied. Through this review, we aimed to collect all relevant data with regard to the long-term impact of obesity on cognitive function in all ages and its correlation with an earlier onset of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The exact mechanisms through which a decline in cognitive functions occurs in overweight or obese persons are still being discussed. A combination of factors has been acknowledged as potential triggers, such as a sedentary lifestyle and stress, as well as a genetic predisposition, for example, the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) alleles in AD. Most research highlights the impact of vascular dysfunction and systemic inflammation on the nervous system in patients with obesity and the subsequent neurological changes. Obesity during the early to mid-ages leads to an earlier onset of cognitive dysfunction in various forms. Also, lifestyle intervention can reverse cognitive dysfunction, especially dieting, to encourage weight loss.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) dynamically regulates many aspects of mammalian physiology. ECS has gained substantial interest since growing evidence suggests that it also plays a major role in several pathophysiological conditions due to its ability to modulate various underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, cannabinoids, as components of the cannabinoid system (CS), have proven beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuromodulatory, antioxidative, and cardioprotective effects. In this comprehensive review, we aimed to describe the complex interaction between CS and most common age-related diseases such as neuro-degenerative, oncological, skeletal, and cardiovascular disorders, together with the potential of various cannabinoids to ameliorate the progression of these disorders. Since chronic inflammation is postulated as the pillar of all the above-mentioned medical conditions, we also discuss in this paper the potential of CS to ameliorate aging-associated immune system dysregulation.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration within the central nervous system (CNS). While the inflammatory components of MS have been extensively studied, the progressive neurodegenerative aspect remains a critical factor contributing to long-term disability. Therefore, the identification and validation of biomarkers associated with neurodegenerative processes are essential for improved diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring. This review explores cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood-based biomarkers, including neurofilaments, lipid markers, kynurenines, and other molecular indicators that provide insights into neurodegeneration in MS.