Medical research identifies new indicators for Alzheimer’s and dementia risk

New research offers potential methods for predicting the progression and risk of cognitive decline. One study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School suggests that a specific pattern of gray matter shrinkage, measurable via routine MRI brain scans, may help predict how quickly early-onset Alzheimer’s disease progresses. By tracking thickness across eight key brain regions, clinicians may eventually be able to provide patients with better timelines regarding their independence.

Separately, an analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort study published in ‘Alzheimer’s & Dementia’ found a link between arterial stiffness and an increased risk of dementia in older adults. The study utilized pulse wave velocity to measure the loss of elasticity in large arteries. While some arterial stiffening is a natural part of vascular aging, excessive stiffness increases pressure on small blood vessels in organs like the brain, potentially contributing to cognitive impairment.