If you have momentary memory lapses, you may very well be suffering from the first signs of dementia, even though you can pass any cognitive skills tests your doctor might give you.

Dr. Andrew J. Saykin and his team of researchers from Dartmouth University used magnetic resonance imaging scans to look at the brains of 40 people with memory and similar complaints, then compared the results with scans from 40 people with mild cognitive impairment and 40 people in a control group.

They discovered that the loss of “gray matter” in the patients who complained of memory problems but did well on the skills tests was about the same as those who had already been diagnosed with impairment.

Thus, even if your doctor tends to dismiss your complaints, you might ask for an MRI because, according to Dr. Saykin, “the earliest possible accurate detection of people at increased risk of dementia” is very important for “new treatments and preventive strategies.”

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posted at 01:27:08 PM | comments (2)