Routine Scan Millions Already Get May Hold Clues to Future Brain Decline
Summary
A new study shows that a common type of body scan, called a CT scan, can help find links between bone strength and brain health. Researchers found that people with weaker bones in their spine tended to have faster declines in thinking skills and changes in brain areas linked to memory and attention.Key Facts
- Researchers used CT scans to measure bone density in the upper and middle spine of 2,086 people.
- Among 715 participants with brain scans and cognitive tests, lower bone density was linked to faster thinking decline.
- Brain changes included more white matter damage, seen as bright spots on MRI, which relate to dementia risk.
- The study suggests bone weakness and brain decline may share common causes, but one does not directly cause the other.
- The link was stronger in people with diabetes and somewhat stronger in women.
- Artificial intelligence helped measure spine bone density automatically from CT scans.
- Routine chest CT scans could soon provide bone health information without extra tests or radiation.
- More research is needed to understand how bone and brain health are connected.
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