At first glance, the liver and brain may seem unrelated organs. One filters toxins; the other processes thoughts. But modern research paints a very different picture, one in which your liver health has a profound effect on your brain’s vitality.

The liver is a metabolic powerhouse, playing a central role in regulating glucose, insulin, fat metabolism, and inflammation when the liver becomes impaired, as in the case of MASLD (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease), the brain may suffer too.

­

What Is MASLD, and Why Should You Care?

MASLD is the most common liver disease worldwide, affecting nearly 1 in 3 adults. It results from excess fat accumulation in the liver, often tied to obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. MASLD replaces the older term NAFLD, reflecting a stronger focus on metabolic dysfunction as its root cause.

While MASLD is often “silent,” it can progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and now, as research reveals, cognitive decline.

­

The Brain-Age Gap: What the UK Biobank Study Found

A groundbreaking 2024 study, using data from the UK Biobank (comprising over 30,000 participants), revealed that individuals with MASLD exhibited an accelerated “brain-age gap.”

That means their brain appeared biologically older than their actual age, by nearly 1 year, and even more in subtypes like MetALD.

The study, published in Liver International (PMID: 40296771), also found that:

• Systemic low-grade inflammation accounted for approximately 13.5% of the effect.

• Insulin resistance and gut-liver-brain axis dysfunction likely contribute to the neurodegenerative process.

This reinforces the need to detect liver disease early, before cognitive symptoms emerge.

­

Cognitive Risks Linked to Poor Liver Health

Several cognitive issues have been associated with chronic liver disease:

• Memory and attention impairments

• Slowed processing speed

• Increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia

• Hepatic encephalopathy in more advanced cases

While the most severe symptoms occur in advanced liver failure, early-stage MASLD may already be impacting your brain, silently.

­

Fibronostics Solution: Early, Non-Invasive Screening

At Fibronostics, our mission is to make liver diagnostics fast, accessible, and needle-free.

✅LIVERFASt™: A comprehensive blood-based diagnostic panel that assesses liver fibrosis, inflammation, steatosis, and function, powered by AI-driven algorithms.

✅ LIVERSTAT: A rapid, point-of-care solution offering on-the-spot liver health insights, ideal for clinics, wellness centers, and health screenings.

By identifying at-risk individuals early, our tools help prevent not just liver damage, but potentially, cognitive decline as well.