A study published in the scientific journal Nature brought to discussion in the medical community a new technique that allows diagnosing Alzheimer’s with just one MRI scan. To put theory into practice, the responsible scientists, from the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, used a common machine, which is also operated in the detection of numerous other diseases. However, in this research, the device was adapted with a new algorithm, with the purpose of mapping the human brain.
During the exam, more than 115 brain regions and 660 characteristics for each of them are tested. The technique known as machine learning tracks areas of the brain, looking for specific characteristics that can identify individual alterations caused by Alzheimer’s.
More than 400 patients with early- and late-stage disease were evaluated, as well as people with other neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s and frontotemporal dementia. The result was satisfactory, showing that it is possible to accurately predict Alzheimer’s. In 98% of cases the technology can identify the disease, still distinguishing the stage 79% of the time. The study opened new hypotheses and discussions about the disease, enhancing the development of other works on the subject.
“The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s happens obligatorily after carrying out imaging tests. Although cognitive and memory tests are often applied, clinical suspicion is not enough. Exams such as magnetic resonance imaging or cerebral perfusion scintigraphy are fundamental resources in these cases. The results of this research confirm that technology and artificial intelligence are extremely important tools for obtaining early and increasingly accurate diagnoses”, says radiologist and CEO of One Laudos, Dr. Augusto Romao.
According to the Brazilian Alzheimer’s Association (Abraz), the number of people affected by the disease in the country exceeds 1.2 million. This is considered the most common dementia in the world, affecting mainly patients aged 65 and over. “So far, there is no cure or way to stop the development of Alzheimer’s, but a quick and accurate diagnosis in the early stages ensures that the patient has a better quality of life as the disease progresses”, explains the CEO of One Laudos .
How is MRI for Alzheimer’s diagnosis?
Magnetic resonance imaging is a machine that works by means of radio waves producing three-dimensional images, in very high quality, of organs and specific regions analyzed in the human body. For the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, the patient is positioned with his head inside the device for a few minutes to capture images that show changes in both brain volume and tissue loss. “This analysis also ensures that other neurological diseases such as stroke, tumors or other types of dementia are excluded,” concludes Dr. Augusto Romao.
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