MRI scans may be able to detect signs of Alzheimer’s disease years before a common marker appears on PET scans, this according to a new study published in Nature Neuroscience.
Researchers analyzed brain imaging data from more than 1,000 people who did not have symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease when they enrolled in the study 16 years ago. The findings, published on August 19, suggest that changes in the thickness of the brain’s cortex could be detected on MRI scans up to seven years before amyloid-beta plaques became visible on PET scans.
Of the participants, about 700 also underwent amyloid-PET scans, allowing researchers to compare the two imaging methods over time.
But while the results suggest MRI could provide an earlier indication of brain changes associated with the disease, the researchers noted that further studies are needed to determine how the findings could be applied to Alzheimer’s diagnosis in clinical practice.
Alzheimer’s disease, which affects around 57 million people globally, is the most common type of dementia. While there is no cure, prompt diagnosis of the condition can make it more manageable, especially in its early stages. Indeed, much can be offered to support and improve the lives of people living with Alzheimer's and their carers and families.
Check out this gallery to understand more about the disease and the many ways it affects the sufferer.