Scanning the Brain
Dateline: 01/07/99
Alzheimer's disease is a neurological illness that begins with memory loss and can ultimately lead to dementia. It is estimated that approximately fourteen million people suffer from a milder form and some four and a half million people suffer from a more severe form. Earlier in the week, scientists at the New York University School of Medicine announced a new detection technique for diagnosing the early stages of Alzheimer's.
Currently, Alzheimer's can only be "officially" detected after death. Pathologists will perform an autopsy looking for brain abnormalities which offer conclusive proof that the person suffered from the disease. There are no definitive laboratory tests for diagnosis. Doctors attempt to identify patients suffering from Alzheimer's by giving a series of memory tests. In addition, family history, past medical conditions, and other information is gathered to assist in the initial diagnosis. The new technique offers a more definitive way to diagnosis the disease.
In the current study, changes in a region of the brain known as the entorhinal cortex were measured. Using MRI scans, the researchers demonstrated that the area was substantially smaller in persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease. In a control group, the size of the region was essentially unchanged. They noted that MRI works by exciting water molecules in cells in the brain allowing them to create a detailed picture of the brain.
Using what is known as a structural landmark, the researchers were able to pinpoint certain points in the region and discern the size of the region based on the landmarks. The study found that the entorhinal cortex was reduced by approximately 45% in patients with the severe form of Alzheimer's and some 30% in patients with the mild form when compared to the control group.
The technique can be performed quickly and could also potentially be used to assess the effects of various treatments. The researchers hope to refine the technique in future studies.
The authors of this study were also involved in earlier studies that demonstrated that the hippocampus was also markedly reduced in size in people suffering from Alzheimer's. The entorhinal cortex proved to be a more reliable marker of the progression of the disease versus the hippocampus. The scientists ultimately hope to be able to diagnose the slightest size variations well before any memory impairment begins.
What do you think? Could this new diagnostic tool assist in the overall treatment of Alzheimer's? What other techniques might be used to assist in diagnosis and treatment? Come over to the Biology Forum and share your thoughts, opinions, and feelings. 'Til next time...
For additional information see:
- Brain Scans Detect Earliest Stages Of Alzheimer's Disease
News release from ScienceDaily adopted from the original news release by New York University Medical Center And School Of Medicine.
