Catch dementia early with incredible tech; 10-year head start guaranteed

TL;DR:

• Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Centre have developed a groundbreaking scan that can detect signs of dementia up to 10 years before symptoms appear.
• The scan identifies a specific ribbon of brain tissue called cortical grey matter that becomes thinner in individuals who later develop dementia.
• The study involved MRI brain imaging of 1,000 people from Massachusetts and 500 people in California.

Dementia could now be detected up to 10 years before symptoms appear, thanks to a groundbreaking new scan developed by scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Centre. The scan identifies thinning of cortical grey matter, a specific ribbon of brain tissue, which is known to occur in individuals who later develop dementia. The researchers found that brain tissue thinning is an accurate indicator of dementia between five and 10 years before any related symptoms develop. The study involved MRI brain imaging of 1,000 people from Massachusetts and 500 people in California.

The results of the study have the potential to change lives by leading to earlier detection and intervention for those at high risk of developing dementia. Detecting the disease early could allow for more effective therapeutic treatments and lifestyle modifications, as well as improved tracking of brain health to decrease the progression to dementia. The study found that the relationship between thinning of cortical grey matter and dementia risk was consistent across different races and ethnic groups, indicating that the biomarker may be helpful in developing and evaluating therapeutics.

The researchers plan to further explore the risk factors associated with thinning of cortical grey matter, including diet, genetics, cardiovascular risk factors, and exposure to environmental pollutants. They believe that the thickness value of an individual’s grey matter might be analyzed as a percentile of the thickness of healthy individuals of the same age. This groundbreaking study has the potential to revolutionize the early detection and treatment of dementia and improve the lives of those affected by the disease.

Source: Mirror Online US Edition