Chennai, July 5 -- Highlights:
* MRI-based brainAGE scores predict cognitive decline before symptoms start
* Older-looking brains link to higher dementia risk and poorer health outcomes
* BrainAGE could soon //become part of routine midlife health checkups You're Only as Young as Your Brain Thinks You Are
Aging does not only reflect in the mirror. It is also reflected in the outer appearance, and now scientists believe that aging can also be predicted with a brain scan. Recent studies by scientists at Duke University demonstrate the possibility of determining the brain's true age through a single MRI scan. This is not just an exciting new science; it's also a serious sign of how healthy your brain might be in the future ( ref1 ).
Scan Your Brain, Discover Your Age
The study used brain scans of 869 participants from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study , one of the most extensive studies on lifelong health in individuals born in 1972 and 1973 . When the participants were 45 years old , MRI scans were performed, and scientists calculated their brainAGE (Brain Age Gap Estimate) using AI-based analysis to determine how old the brain appeared at 45 years compared to their actual age.
Additionally, images of 624 people with an average age of 74 years (ranging from 52 to 89) who participated in a study with hereditary Alzheimer's incidence showed these individuals with Alzheimer's-related brain aging had a significantly higher risk of dementia and experienced earlier memory and cognitive decline. Participants with older-looking brains performed worse on memory, balance, and thinking tests; they also had more physical difficulties, lower life satisfaction, and a lower socioeconomic status. This implies that certain individuals may age much faster than expected, despite feeling generally well.
BrainAGE: A Smarter Way to Measure Brain Aging
A recent review, "BrainAGE: Revisited and Reframed Machine Learning Workflow," discusses the development of machine learning models to evaluate brain aging with greater accuracy and clarity.
By analyzing thousands of MRI scans, these models generate a "Brain Age Gap Estimate" (BrainAGE), which reflects the difference between a person's chronological age and how old their brain appears structurally. It has been shown that the accuracy and clinical relevance of BrainAGE are enhanced by the use of refined workflows, combining deep learning, improved preprocessing methods, and large-scale data sets. This innovation offers a powerful, non-invasive tool to detect accelerated brain aging early, enabling timely intervention in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's ( ref2 ).
Catch Aging Before It Catches Up With You
What happens when your brain's age is older than your actual biological age?
A prematurely aging 45-year-old brain may indicate:
* Alzheimer's disease and dementia
* Stroke or neurovascular conditions
* Problems with mobility and falls
* Mental health issues
The good news is if detected early, action can still be taken. Such a BrainAGE measurement may ultimately lead to physicians prescribing preventive options, such as exercise, diet, and/or sleep modifications, stress mitigation , and even specific therapies, before symptoms become evident.
Could Brain Scans Become Your Next Annual Health Check?
Such an instrument could soon become a common element of preventive medicine. Consider going for a routine check-up and getting your BrainAGE measurement as well as your blood pressure and cholesterol. Although we're not there yet, research is still underway to make that vision a reality.
Researchers still need to validate BrainAGE across diverse ethnic and global populations, refine the algorithms for greater accuracy, and determine the most effective ways to interpret and apply the results. With increased technological development, BrainAGE can become a routine part of middle-aged health routines, and millions of people will be able to take proactive measures that will help preserve their brains and bodies.
The brain doesn't lie-and it no longer needs to remain silent. Whether you're aging gracefully or experiencing accelerated aging, science now offers a tool that reveals the truth-and may help us change our future
Source-Medindia
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