An MRI scan that detects atrophy patterns in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients also can detect cognitive decline in Parkinson’s patients.
Parkinson’s disease results from the degeneration of dopamine-producing brain cells, causing motor symptoms, cognitive changes, emotional issues, and sleep disturbances. While incurable, early detection can improve the quality of life. Patients exhibit executive function impairment, memory issues, attention difficulties, visuospatial dysfunction, and language challenges.
Regular assessments are crucial to identify and manage symptoms, with some individuals developing mild cognitive impairment or, in severe cases, Parkinson’s disease dementia. However, not everyone experiences significant cognitive decline.
Neurologists usually recommend magnetic resonance imaging for people showing manifestations of Parkinson’s disease. By exploiting the magnetic properties of hydrogen atoms, MRI aids in the monitoring and diagnosis of various medical conditions, particularly those affecting soft tissues. Its versatility extends to functional MRI, which studies brain activity. MRI is a crucial tool in modern medicine, providing precision and safety for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning across a broad range of conditions.
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With the advancement of MRI, this diagnostic tool can already detect cognitive decline. This can be a promising discovery for patients and their families. It will pave the way to early management of this degenerative disease to improve patient’s overall quality of life. Additionally, MRI can be an excellent tool to find more effective interventions and treatments.
Thirty patients with Parkinson’s disease and 22 control subjects underwent 3-T magnetic resonance imaging. Compared with control subjects, patients with Parkinson’s disease displayed significantly higher imaging resolution.
These findings demonstrate that magnetic resonance imaging of the brain’s grey matter structures is useful for the evaluation of Parkinson’s disease.
Investigators say this technology can predict which patients with Parkinson’s disease will experience long-term cognitive decline or develop dementia in the future. Close to 80% of Parkinson’s patients develop dementia as the disease progresses.
“Diagnostic tests like this can help us determine which patients would benefit from future clinical trials of medications aiming to stave off or prevent dementia progression in Parkinson’s disease,” the study’s lead author, Daniel Weintraub, M.D., said.
The study was published online in the journal Brain.