• Tianwei Meng, Changxing Liu, Boyu Wang, Chengjia Li, Jiawen Liu, Jia Chen, Yidi Ma, and Rui Qie.
• Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, No. 24 Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin 150006, China.
• Postgrad Med J. 2024 Nov 15.

PurposeThis study aims to explore the relationship between basal metabolic rate (BMR) and cognitive impairment and assess the potential of BMR as a protective factor against cognitive decline.MethodsThis investigation initially conducted a cross-sectional study of American adults from 2011 to 2014 using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. It examined the correlation between participants' BMR and cognitive functions, exploring the association with cognitive impairment. Subsequently, publicly available genome-wide association study data was used to examine potential causal links between genetically determined BMR and specific cognitive disorders using Mendelian randomization.ResultsCross-sectional findings revealed a significant positive correlation between higher BMR and cognitive scores. In Mendelian randomization analysis, BMR demonstrated an inverse causal relationship with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's dementia, suggesting BMR as a potential protective factor against these diseases. No causal links were found with vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.ConclusionThis study supports the role of BMR as a potential protective factor against Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's dementia, suggesting that BMR may play an important role in preventing cognitive decline. However, due to the limitations of cross-sectional studies, further prospective studies and broader demographic samples are necessary to verify these results and explore underlying biological mechanisms. Key messages What is already known on this topic: Existing knowledge suggests a close relationship between BMR and health and cognitive functions, but detailed studies on its connection with specific cognitive impairments are still needed. What this study adds: This study found a significant positive correlation between higher BMR and cognitive improvement, potentially aiding in the prevention of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's dementia. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy: This finding guides public health strategies and personalized medicine, emphasizing the necessity for further research to validate BMR's protective effects.© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

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