Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Worcester have observed that individuals with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, may face a reduced chance of developing dementia after undergoing catheter ablation. The findings, presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 75th annual meeting, shed light on how treating heart rhythm disorders could influence brain health over time.
The study followed 887 participants who began the project with an average age around 75. Among them, 193 underwent catheter ablation. Catheter ablation is a procedure where small areas of heart tissue that can trigger abnormal rhythms are targeted and destroyed using controlled radiofrequency energy, aiming to restore a normal heart rhythm and reduce episodes of arrhythmia.
Participants completed a memory and thinking assessment at the outset and then again after one year and after two more years. The test evaluated short-term memory, attention, and verbal abilities, with scores ranging from 0 to 30. On average, those who received catheter ablation scored about 25 on the year-one assessment, whereas those managed with medications alone averaged around 23. These differences persisted across subsequent testing, highlighting a potential cognitive benefit linked to rhythm control.
After accounting for other health factors such as kidney disease and sleep apnea, the analysis indicated that individuals treated with catheter ablation were roughly 36 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment than those who continued medication therapy alone. This association aligns with prior observations that arrhythmia can hinder brain function over time due to reduced or irregular blood flow. The current study adds a new dimension by suggesting that effectively managing the heart’s rhythm may help preserve thinking and memory functions during aging.
Experts note that while the results are promising, they do not prove causation. The research emphasizes a potential pathway by which rhythm control might influence brain health, yet additional studies are needed to confirm the mechanism and to explore whether the cognitive benefits vary by patient characteristics such as age, the severity of arrhythmia, and overall cardiovascular health. In the meantime, clinicians may consider rhythm management as part of a broader strategy to protect cognitive function in patients with atrial fibrillation, alongside lifestyle factors, blood pressure control, and diabetes management.
Overall, the findings contribute to a growing interest in how cardiovascular interventions can affect brain aging. They encourage further investigations into whether early rhythm correction could slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia in diverse patient groups. Future research may also examine long-term outcomes beyond the two-year follow-up, evaluate quality of life considerations, and determine how these results translate across different health systems and populations.