A new study has found that the path and progression of
Alzheimer’s disease can be tracked through MRI scans, according to neurologists in England.

In their study of 26 patients, researchers separated the participants into three groups. One group had no symptoms, but did have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, while the other two groups were in moderate to advanced stages of the disease.

Over the course of evaluation, patients in each group were given at least two MRIs to monitor structural changes.

Researchers reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that MRIs showed that the memory region of the brain experienced rapid loss of tissue very early on, while tissue in other areas of the brain disintegrated as the disease progressed.

Researchers concluded that their research could "provide insights into disease progression in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and may be useful for tracking progression in clinical trials of new therapies."

Other Sources: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences