Recent research has identified a potential predictor for dementia development, offering hope for earlier detection. Traditionally, memory clinics rely on visual rating scales to evaluate brain atrophy, indicating dementia. However, these methods often miss subtle early signs. Dementia is a term that includes various brain-affecting diseases such as Alzheimer’s. It impairs memory, thinking, and daily tasks.

In 2021, the World Health Organization reported that 57 million people globally lived with dementia. Early symptoms include forgetfulness, disorientation, conversational difficulties, anxiety, anger, and inappropriate behavior. As dementia progresses, it severely affects daily functions.

Brain Age Estimation

A study suggests that comparing an individual’s brain appearance on MRI scans to their actual age could forecast dementia risk long before conventional methods. Researcher Stefan De Vries explained to Newsweek that ‘brain age’ adds valuable insights, particularly in the subtle early stages of cognitive decline.

Researchers at Amsterdam UMC analyzed data from 2002 to 2024. They used AI algorithms to estimate brain age and compared it to actual age, creating the brain-PAD metric. This method identified mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which can lead to dementia.

Findings and Implications

A significant finding was that each year a brain appeared older than its chronological age increased dementia risk by 6%. Early identification can help in crafting tailored treatment plans. While MRI scans are standard for detecting brain atrophy, catching subtler changes earlier can enhance intervention strategies.

The study utilized records from the Alzheimer Center at Amsterdam UMC over 22 years. It involved 412 patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and 387 with MCI. They examined MRI scans, cognitive test scores, and visual ratings, using AI to calculate brain age differences.

An older brain age was a clear indicator of future dementia. Conversely, if an SCD patient’s brain appeared at least 2.6 years younger than their chronological age, they had a 99% chance of not developing dementia in the next two to ten years. For MCI patients, brain age calculations provided similar results to current MRI assessments.

Future Directions

Further studies will explore how this approach can complement existing methods in clinical settings. De Vries highlighted ongoing research into AI’s role in supporting radiologists and enhancing diagnostic accuracy in memory clinics.

Reference: Stefan De Vries et al, Comparison of Brain Age With Standard MRI Assessment for Dementia Risk Stratification in Subjective and Mild Cognitive Impairment, Neurology (2026). DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000218418. For further information, contact Newsweek editors Sirena Bergman and James Debens.