Shafaqna Health: A new study has found that a single brain scan measuring the size of key brain structures can predict future cognitive decline more accurately than tracking brain shrinkage over time, offering a potentially practical tool for identifying people at risk of dementia, according to PsyPost.
Researchers led by Nicola Sambuco of the University of Bari Aldo Moro in Italy analyzed data from 75 participants enrolled in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, including healthy older adults, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and individuals with dementia.
Published in the journal Cortex, the study examined whether baseline brain volume or the rate of brain atrophy better predicts future cognitive performance. Participants underwent high-resolution brain imaging and cognitive assessments, followed by additional evaluations approximately 21 months later.
The findings showed that the initial size of specific brain regions—particularly the hippocampus and thalamus—was a stronger predictor of future memory and thinking abilities than the rate of brain tissue loss during the follow-up period. Individuals with smaller hippocampal and thalamic volumes at the start of the study experienced greater cognitive decline over time.
Researchers highlighted the thalamus as an especially important structure for preserving memory and executive function, suggesting it plays a larger role in cognitive resilience than previously recognized.
The study also demonstrated that baseline brain measurements could successfully identify which patients with mild cognitive impairment would later progress to dementia. Among the participants, 20 individuals developed dementia during the study period, and a statistical model based solely on initial brain scans accurately distinguished them from those whose conditions remained stable.
The results support the concept of “brain reserve,” indicating that greater structural brain volume may help protect individuals from the clinical effects of neurodegenerative diseases, even when underlying brain pathology is present.
Researchers cautioned that the study’s relatively small sample size and short follow-up period limit broader conclusions. They called for larger studies and independent validation to confirm whether the approach can be integrated into routine clinical practice.
The findings suggest that a single brain scan could become a valuable and cost-effective tool for early dementia risk assessment, potentially enabling earlier intervention and treatment planning.
Source: PsyPost
