Scientists used Artificial Intelligence to estimate the brain age of 739 healthy elderly people and discovered that lifestyle and health conditions affect brain aging.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet, in Sweden, they used an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool to estimate the biological age of the brains of 739 elderly people from MRI scans.
“The algorithm is precise and robust, but easy to use”, said specialist Eric Westman, professor of Neurogeriatrics, cited by . “It is a research tool that still needs further evaluation, but our goal is that it will also be of clinical use in the future, particularly in dementia investigations.”
The brain images were supplemented with blood samples to measure lipids, glucose and inflammation. Participants also took cognitive tests and provided certain data on lifestyle factors such as physical exercise and medical conditions.
The analysis revealed that factors detrimental to vascular health, such as inflammation and high blood sugar levels, are linked to older-looking brainswhile a healthy lifestyle was associated with younger-looking brains.
“Factors that negatively affect blood vessels may also be related to older-looking brains, which demonstrates how important it is keep blood vessels healthy to protect the brain, making sure, for example, that the blood glucose level is kept stable”, highlighted researcher Anna Marseglia.
The findings were recently published in The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
