Alzheimer’s may start shrinking two brain regions years before memory loss
Johns Hopkins scientists have uncovered hidden warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease that may appear up to a decade before memory loss begins. Brain scans revealed that two regions involved in memory and emotion start shrinking before the hippocampus, the area doctors typically examine for signs of Alzheimer’s. These early changes are linked to abnormal tau protein buildup and could provide a…
Alzheimer's disease may begin affecting two brain regions years before memory loss becomes noticeable, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. By analyzing hundreds of brain scans, scientists discovered that the entorhinal cortex and amygdala, areas involved in memory and emotion, start losing tissue earlier than the hippocampus, the brain region commonly linked to Alzheimer's.
These changes could potentially offer early warning signs, allowing for earlier treatment that may slow or even halt the disease's progression. Dr. Michael Miller, a biomedical engineer and senior author of the study, stated that there could be a 5-to-10-year window during which brain changes occur before cognitive symptoms appear.
If treatment could start during this early stage, it could significantly improve outcomes for individuals at risk of Alzheimer's. The findings, published in NeuroImage Reports and presented at Neuroscience 2026, suggest that examining these brain regions could improve predictions of who is likely to develop cognitive decline. This could lead to more effective risk stratification and earlier interventions, ultimately slowing the progression of the disease.
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