Researchers use brain stiffness to predict neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers at the University of Delaware have made a significant discovery regarding brain health. They found that measuring the stiffness of the brain can reliably predict its age. This research helps in identifying neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The study was led by Curtis Johnson, an associate professor, and Austin Brockmeier, an assistant professor. They used a technique called magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to examine brain stiffness. This method involves gently vibrating a person's head while scanning it using MRI. The resulting stiffness maps indicate how the brain's tissue reacts to different forces. As people age, their brains tend to become softer and lose stiffness, which can signal health issues. Johnson and his team combined MRE with artificial intelligence to improve predictions of brain health. Their recent findings showed that measuring both brain stiffness and volume provided the most accurate age estimates. The research indicates that changes in brain stiffness often occur before noticeable volume loss. Johnson noted that traditional methods of analyzing stiffness data were too simplistic. The advanced MRI technology at their lab helped in creating more detailed analyses. Collaboration played a key role in this study. Brockmeier contributed his expertise in machine learning, which helped to analyze the complex data. The team’s work not only improved predictions but also provided insights into the underlying patterns in brain health. Overall, this groundbreaking research could lead to better ways to assess brain health and detect diseases earlier.