Changes in white matter of brain may signal dementia

Older adults suffering from memory problems are more likely to later develop thinking problems if they show signs of growing "brain rust," or small areas of brain damage, according to a Science Daily article. The study was published in the July 14, 2009, print issue of Neurology®. After49 people who began the study with no memory problems were followed for 9.5 years, the researchers found 24 participants who developed cognitive impairment or other memory problems that are precursors to Alzheimer's or dementia. In participants with the fastest rate of growth in the amount of small areas of brain damage, or white matter hyperintensities, the researchers said they were more likely to see development of permanent thinking problems that in many cases led to dementia than those with a slow rate of growth in these types of brain lesions. For each cubic centimeter (less than a quarter of a teaspoon) increase in the amount of brain lesions in the participants, there was an associated 94 percent increased risk of developing cognitive impairment. That's an incredibly high risk factor...