Researchers at Karolinska Institutet utilized an AI tool to analyze brain images from 739 cognitively healthy individuals aged 70, estimating their biological brain age.

The study revealed an average AI-derived brain age of 71 years, indicating a notable 'brain age gap' compared to the participants' chronological age.

Published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia on December 20, 2024, the research involved MRI scans of participants with an average age of 70.

Lead author Anna Marseglia emphasized the importance of maintaining vascular health to protect brain health, particularly through stabilizing blood glucose levels.

Future studies will investigate sex differences in brain aging and resilience, focusing on biological and sociocultural influences on women's health.

This research highlights the urgency of addressing dementia in Sweden, where over 20,000 individuals develop some form of dementia annually, with Alzheimer's disease accounting for about two-thirds of those cases.

The study found that vascular health issues, including inflammation and elevated glucose levels, are associated with older-looking brains, while healthier lifestyles correlate with younger-appearing brains.

Principal investigator Eric Westman noted the AI tool's accuracy and user-friendliness, envisioning future clinical applications in dementia research.

A new study set to launch in 2025 will examine how social health factors, including engagement and support, impact brain resilience in older adults.

The study received funding from various organizations, including the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Alzheimer’s Foundation, with no reported conflicts of interest among the researchers.

Participants underwent comprehensive assessments, including MRI scans, blood tests for lipids, glucose, and inflammation, as well as cognitive testing and lifestyle evaluations.

The findings are detailed in the paper titled 'Biological brain age and resilience in cognitively unimpaired 70-year-old individuals,' published in Alzheimer's & Dementia.