Brain Drains Clogged? New MRI Scan Key to Early Alzheimer's Detection

Researchers have identified potential early warning signs for Alzheimer's disease by examining MRI scans for blockages in the brain's natural drainage system. These natural "drains," which clear harmful waste, can become clogged, leading to enlarged perivascular spaces detectable on routine MRI scans. This finding suggests that anomalies in these spaces could serve as crucial predictors of dementia, even before substantial brain damage occurs.

The study, involving nearly 1,000 participants in Singapore, observed that individuals with mild cognitive impairment were more likely to exhibit these clogged drains compared to those without cognitive concerns. The presence of enlarged perivascular spaces was also found to correlate with certain blood markers associated with Alzheimer's, such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles.