Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

MRI Scans May Detect Alzheimer's Signs Years Earlier

MRI scans might reveal cortical thickness changes linked to Alzheimer's disease at least seven years before amyloid plaques are detectable by PET scans.

Alzheimer's involves tau tangles and beta-amyloid plaques. While PET scans detect plaques, MRI may show earlier signs.

A study of over 1,000 adults tracked for up to 16 years compared MRI cortical thickness with amyloid-PET scans.

A slightly thicker cortex on MRI was associated with individuals who later developed amyloid plaques. These changes appeared at least seven years before plaques were visible on PET scans.

This suggests Alzheimer's develops over many years, potentially offering a longer window for interventions.

Experts note these cortical changes may be too subtle for diagnosis but could help researchers understand disease progression and treatments.

The study implies brain changes occur long before detectable beta-amyloid accumulation, suggesting other processes may initiate earlier.

This raises the possibility that targeting processes beyond amyloid accumulation could be important for future drug development.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.