来自Sheffield大学研究人员的一项前沿性研究发现,血型在神经系统的发育中起到了一定的作用，而且，血型可能会有高风险引起认知下降。

　　这项研究是与威尼斯的IRCCS San Camillo医院基金会合作开展的，研究发现，O型血的人与其它血型的人相比，如A、B或AB血型，大脑中有更多的灰质，从而保护他们不易得老年痴呆症。

　　来自Sheffield大学神经科学系的研究人员Matteo De Marco和Annalena Venneri教授，分析了189名健康志愿者的核磁共振成像结果。他们计算了这些志愿者大脑中的灰质含量，并研究了灰质量在不同血型间的差异。

　　研究结果发表在BrainResearchBulletin杂志上，即O型血的人们在小脑后部有更多的灰质。相比之下，A、B及AB血型的人们，有小量的灰质，在脑的颞部和边缘区域，包括左海马，此区域是老年痴呆症最早受损的大脑的部位之一。

　　这些发现提示，小量的灰质是与非O型血相关的。

　　随着年龄的增长，通常大脑中的灰质量是呈下降趋势的。但是，血型的差异会加剧由老化引起的灰质量的不同。

　　"这些发现似乎表明，O型血的人们不易得一些由大脑颞部或颞部内侧灰质量减少所引起的疾病，例如老年痴呆症，"Matteo DeMarco说。

　　"然而，仍需要其他的检测和进一步的研究，因为可能有另外的生物机制也包括在内。"

　　Annalena Venneri教授补充道，"我们现在知道了大脑灰质量的明显差异，我们的发现也证实了临床上所观察到的。血型很可能影响了神经系统的发育。现在我们将研究这是如何和为什么发生的。"

　　推荐英文原文报道: Links found between blood type and risk of cognitive decline

推荐的英文原文

‘O’ blood type is associated with larger grey-matter volumes inthecerebellum

　　dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2015.05.005

　　Recent evidence indicated higher incidence of cognitive deficits in ABO blood-type system ‘AB’ individuals. Since this statistical difference might originate from the lack of protective effects exerted by ‘O’ alleles on the brain via vascular or non-vascular routes, this study investigated volumetric differences in grey matter between ‘O’ and non-‘O’adultsto explore the possibility of a structural endophenotype visible in ‘O’ adults without cognitive impairment or neurodegeneration.

　　A large sample of cognitively healthy adults who had previously undergone structural MRI for research purposes were contacted telephonically and enquired about their ABO blood type. Out of the 189 individuals who were able to retrieve and communicate this information, ‘O’ (n = 76) and ‘A’ adults (n = 65) were included in Model 1. In Model 2, all non-‘O’ (n = 113) were instead collapsed in a single group. Voxel-Based Morphometry analyses were carried out on three-dimensional T1-weighted scans, and between-sample t tests were run to compare the maps of grey-matter volumes of the subgroups of interest, controlling for major nuisance variables.

　　In Model 1, ‘O’ adults had larger grey-matter volumes in two symmetrical clusters within the posterior ventral portion of the cerebellum. This was confirmed in Model 2. Additionally, non-‘O’ adults showed lower volume values in temporal and limbic regions, including the left hippocampus.

　　The cerebellar clusters were located in regions previously found to be part of a network responsible for sensorimotor integration. It is speculated that the structural reductions seen in non-‘O’ adults might result in a susceptibility to down-regulation of this network. This occurrence is likely to intensify along the ageing process and may contribute to foster cognitive decline. Although Model 2 seems to suggest that having a ‘O’ blood type might play a role in protection against those conditions in which temporal and mediotemporal volumetric loss is observed (Alzheimer's disease), additional supporting evidence is needed.

　　A number of potential biological processes might sustain these between-group differences, including sensorimotor ontogenesis, hormonal function, and a regional impact of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. These findings identify the cerebellar tissue as a candidate for further studying ABO function, and support a general association between ABO blood type and variance in the development of the nervous system.