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Iron levels in the brain may be a warning sign for Alzheimer’s disease in the future, a new study suggests.
High levels of chemical elements have been shown to be Increase brain toxins and trigger neurodegeneration, leading to cognitive decline – especially when they interact with abnormal amyloid and tau proteins, the landmark pathology of Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that a special MRI technique called quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) can measure the level of brain iron.
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“QSM is an advanced MRI technology Over the past decade, tissue susceptibility has been developed to measure tissue susceptibility with good accuracy.
QSM can detect slight differences in iron levels across different brain regions, providing a reliable and noninvasive way to map and quantify patients’ iron, which is not possible with conventional MR methods. ”
Iron levels in the brain may be a warning sign for Alzheimer’s disease in the future, a new study suggests. (iStock)
Compared to traditional imaging options Diagnosis of Alzheimer’sThe researchers say that QSM MRI, including QSM MRI, is “non-invasive and more affordable.”
This measurement may help predict the likelihood of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitive decline, even if the person has no symptoms.
The study found that the risk of dementia was reduced by a common health intervention.
In a study published in the Journal of Radiology, researchers tested MRI technology Participants with unimpaired cognition in 158 previous research projects.
After a seven-year follow-up period, the team concluded that higher iron levels in two key parts of the brain were associated with a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment, which is often a precursor to the development of Alzheimer’s dementia.
“When participants are still cognitively normal, brain iron changes can be made years before memory loss.”
“The key point of our study is that higher brain iron levels, especially in some of the key brain regions associated with memory and learning (as shown in our study), are associated with higher risk of developing MCI and faster with higher risk Cognitive decline,” Lee told Fox News Numbers.
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“When participants are still cognitively normal, this brain iron change can be measured years before memory loss.”
“Using QSM, we found that brain iron has higher brain iron in certain memory-related areas, which is associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment and faster decline in cognitive abilities,” Li said. “This risk is even higher when participants all have higher levels of amyloid pathology.”
High levels of chemical elements have been shown to increase brain toxins and trigger neurodegenerative. (iStock)
Li noted that the study does have some limitations, including smaller participants.
“this Research population The researchers noted that from a professional population consisting primarily of white, well-educated participants, had a strong family history of Alzheimer’s disease. ”
The release says that if larger, more diverse studies confirm these findings, it could support the use of this MRI technique for patients at higher risk of dementia.
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“I think we should be hopeful,” Lee said. “We can use this tool to help identify patients at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease and may lead to guidance,” he said. Early intervention measures With new treatments available. Similarly, in addition to being used as a biomarker, brain iron may also become a future therapeutic target. ”
He added that the researchers also hope to make QSM technology more standardized, faster and more extensive access in clinical practice.
Although brain iron is associated with neurodegeneration and may lead to cognitive decline, it is also an important factor in cognitive health, the researchers say. (iStock)
Li notes that although brain iron is associated with neurodegeneration and may lead to cognitive decline, it is also an important factor Cognitive health and neurodevelopmental periods.
“Although iron chelation (iron removal) therapies for Alzheimer’s disease are currently being explored, their effects are still not very clear and more research is needed,” he said.
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The study was supported by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the National Institute of Aging and the National Institutes of Health.
