New Delhi, June 6 (IANS) In a significant finding, UK researchers have developed a new test that can predict dementia — affecting over 55 million people worldwide — nine years before a diagnosis.
The new test is 80 per cent more accurate than the commonly used methods like memory tests or measurements of brain shrinkage, said researchers at the Queen Mary University of London.
The test is based on analyses of functional MRI (fMRI) scans and detects changes in the brain’s ‘default mode network’ (DMN) — which connects regions of the brain to perform specific cognitive functions.
DMN is the first neural network to be affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.
Charles Marshall from Queen Mary’s Wolfson Institute of Population Health called the predictive test “vital for developing treatments that can prevent the irreversible loss of brain cells that causes the symptoms of dementia.”
To estimate the effective connectivity between ten regions of the brain that constitute the default mode network, the team used fMRI scans from over 1,100 volunteers.
The findings, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, showed that the model had accurately predicted the onset of dementia up to nine years before an official diagnosis was made and with greater than 80 per cent accuracy.
In the cases where the volunteers had gone on to develop dementia, it was also found that the model could predict within a two-year margin of error exactly how long it would take that diagnosis to be made.
Further, the researchers found that genetic risk for Alzheimer’s was strongly associated with connectivity changes in the DMN.
They also found social isolation can affect connectivity in the DMN and raise the risk of dementia.
–IANS
rvt/rad
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
