MRI Brain Age Predicts Dementia Risk 6% Higher Per Year in 799 Patients
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Aug 20
MRI Brain Age Predicts Dementia Risk 6% Higher Per Year in 799 Patients
3 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Aug 20
Summary
A 22-year Amsterdam UMC study found AI-estimated brain age on MRI can flag future dementia risk years before standard visual scans detect subtle changes.
In 799 memory-clinic patients, each year a brain appeared older than a person's actual age raised dementia risk by 6%, with the strongest added value in subjective cognitive decline rather than mild cognitive impairment.
Among 412 patients with subjective cognitive decline, a brain that looked at least 2.6 years younger than actual age signaled up to a 99% chance of not developing dementia over the next two to 10 years.
Researchers said the tool could complement current MRI assessments in memory clinics, but it still needs further clinical testing before routine use.
The findings matter because dementia affected 57 million people worldwide in 2021, and earlier risk detection could help doctors plan care sooner despite the lack of a cure.