Tool for Alzheimer’s detection
Scientists may now be able to detect early features of Alzheimer’s disease using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. In a study conducted at The University of Queensland (UQ), researchers using MRI scans were able to detect loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons – an early and key feature of Alzheimer’s disease
Scientists may now be able to detect early features of Alzheimer’s disease using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
In a study conducted by the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at The University of Queensland (UQ), researchers using MRI scans were able to detect loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons – an early and key feature of Alzheimer’s disease.
Lead researcher, Professor Elizabeth Coulson, from QBI and her team used modelling techniques to observe the protein receptors in the brain responsible for cell death in the relevant region of the brain before the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
“The aim of this study was to determine whether loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons underpins changes, which can be detected through MRI using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI),” Professor Coulson said.
“By doing this, we were able to pinpoint significant signs of Alzheimer’s onset, before the basal forebrain cells had actually deteriorated.
“Detecting cells before they die or degenerate gives opportunity for targeted intervention.”
Scientists are now looking to use DTI scans to detect these early signs of Alzheimer’s in humans.
“These findings provide increased support for using DTI and probabilistic tractography as non-invasive tools for diagnosing and/or monitoring the progression of conditions affecting the integrity of the basal forebrain cholinergic system in humans, including Alzheimer’s disease,” Professor Coulson said.
