Advancing Brain Health Monitoring with MRI Technology
The mysteries of the human brain have intrigued researchers for centuries. Thanks to technological advancements, we can now delve into the intricacies of the living brain. Ongoing studies in brain science continue to unveil the functions and development of each part. With precise brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we can examine the brain’s structure, compare it to data models, and enhance our understanding of human behavior.
The ever-changing nature of the brain
Have you ever caught a glimpse of your own brain? Most people would answer no unless they have undergone an MRI scan at a medical facility. Unlike body parts that are visible to the naked eye, the brain, though an integral part of our bodies, remains hidden from view. We know the brain works tirelessly, but understanding the specific functions, movements, and changes within its different regions is challenging.
Previously, it was widely believed that once the brain reached maturity in infancy, it remained static. Developmental psychology coined the term ‘critical period’ to highlight the importance of optimal cognitive, emotional, and physical growth during a specific timeframe. However, extensive research in brain science has revealed that the brain’s development and growth extend throughout our entire lives.
Neuroplasticity: The brain’s ability to adapt
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize its structure and function in response to environmental changes, experiences, and stimuli. Neural circuits, once formed, are not set in stone; they have the capacity to adapt their roles and pathways depending on the circumstances.
Unveiling Life’s Imprints on the Brain
It is common for individuals to wonder about the state of their brain health. In such cases, the most efficient and informative method of evaluation is through a brain MRI scan. According to Jang Min-wook, director of the Brain Navigation Neurology Clinic, individuals experiencing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, memory decline, or possessing cardiovascular risk factors should consider undergoing a brain MRI scan.
Brain MRI scans not only provide anatomical insights but also reveal tissue patterns. They can help identify missed signs of strokes, various types of dementia, neurodegenerative diseases, cerebrovascular vessel abnormalities or blockages, and brain tumors.
Director Jang stated, “A brain MRI can unveil childhood trauma and lifestyle habits that may have been long forgotten.”
Preserving Brain Health
A healthy brain brims with vitality.
White matter degenerative small vessel disease manifests as white lesions across the brain.
Just as we can observe skin aging in the mirror, it is equally vital to understand how brain aging affects us. As we age, our brains naturally shrink. Although this process begins around the age of 40, the volume loss accelerates significantly after 70. As the brain shrinks, cognitive functions also start to decline.
Ensuring smooth communication between brain cells is crucial for preventing memory decline. Nerve cells need to efficiently exchange information with each other. However, as we age, nerve cells shrink and receive inadequate nutrients. The brain produces fewer neurotransmitters, hampering information exchange between cells and leading to memory decline.
Director Jang suggested, “Among omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) plays a crucial role in facilitating efficient signal transmission between cells. It reduces inflammation, improves concentration, and prevents memory loss. Since our bodies cannot produce omega-3 fatty acids, it is essential to incorporate them into our diet. Fish, leafy green vegetables like spinach, vegetable oils such as canola oil, eggs, and walnuts are excellent sources.”
The Hippocampus: The Seat of Memory
A decline in the hippocampus and severe brain atrophy significantly increases the risk of dementia.
Berries, rich in flavonoids, possess potent antioxidants. Flavonoids reduce the risk of heart disease, curb inflammation, and benefit the aging brain. They impede the creation of ‘amyloid plaque,’ a major contributor to dementia, and facilitate information exchange between nerve cells. Additionally, individuals should be cautious about hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by high lipid levels in the blood. While most cases are asymptomatic, it can lead to fatal diseases when complications arise. Hyperlipidemia, especially in relation to the brain, increases the likelihood of severe conditions like stroke.
Furthermore, individuals experiencing headaches, dizziness, suspected strokes, risk factors for stroke, memory loss, cognitive decline, speech disorders, gait disorders, or tremors should consider undergoing both brain MRI and angiography magnetic resonance (MRA) tests. An MRI enables a cross-sectional view of the brain, providing insights into its shape, left-right symmetry, and signs of past cerebral infarction or brain atrophy. MRA, on the other hand, visualizes blood vessels within the brain.
Min-wook Jang, director of the Brain Navigation Neurology Clinic, advises on those who should prioritize a brain MRI:
- People frequently experiencing headaches and dizziness
- Individuals suffering from sleep disorders
- Suspected stroke victims
- Those with stroke risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and heart disease
- People experiencing memory loss or decline in cognitive function
- Individuals with speech disorders, gait disorders, or tremors
By keeping a vigilant eye on our brain health, we can take proactive steps to preserve our cognitive abilities and overall well-being.
Written by Hong Eun-sim (hongeunsim@donga.com)
‘Monitoring’ brain health with MRI Traces of life remain intact in the brain, and MRI scans can reveal lifestyle habits… Dementia, brain tumour, stroke, etc can be confirmed
Efforts to understand people have been going on for a long time. As technology advances, it is possible to examine the details of the living brain. In particular, as research in the field of brain science continues, how each part functions and develops is revealed. By using precise brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to grasp the shape of the brain and compare and analyze it with a model learned from data, it is possible to improve the understanding of human behavior.
the brain changes throughout life
Have you ever seen your own brain? No one would have seen their own brain unless they had had an MRI scan in a hospital. Unlike body parts such as arms and legs which can be seen directly with the naked eye, the brain is clearly part of my body, but cannot be seen with the naked eye. It is clear that the brain works hard, but it is difficult to know which parts work how, how they move or change.
In the past, it was known that once the brain had developed in infancy, it no longer changed. Therefore, in developmental psychology, there is a ‘critical period’ for development, and it is very important that appropriate cognitive, emotional and physical development occurs at this time.
However, as brain science research has been actively conducted, it has been revealed that the development and growth of the brain is not limited to infancy and can continue throughout life.
Neuroplasticity refers to the reorganization of the brain’s nervous system in changing its structure and function under the influence of environmental changes, experiences, and surrounding stimuli. Therefore, a neural circuit once formed does not always remain in its role or path, but can change its role or path differently depending on the situation.
The traces of life are engraved in the brain
Everyone sometimes wonders if their brain is healthy. At this time, the easiest and most efficient way to evaluate the brain is an MRI scan of the brain. Jang Min-wook, director of the Brain Navigation Neurology Clinic, says, “Especially if you have headaches, dizziness, the memory is not what it used to be, or if you have cardiovascular risk factors, it is good to have an MRI scan on the brain.”
MRI of the brain can be very informative because it can distinguish not only anatomical features but also tissue patterns. It is possible to identify traces of stroke that were overlooked in the past, dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegenerative diseases, malformations or blockages in cerebrovascular vessels, and brain tumors.
Director Jang said, “If you take a brain MRI, you can find out about childhood trauma and lifestyle habits that you can’t remember.”
keep your brain healthy
Margins of a healthy healthy brain packed full.
White matter degenerative small vessel disease You can see white lesions everywhere.
You can see skin aging by looking in the mirror. So how can we tell if the brain is aging?
As we age, the brain shrinks. In general, the brain shrinks from the age of 40 onwards, but changes in brain volume accelerate rapidly from the age of 70. As the brain shrinks, cognitive function also changes.
To prevent memory decline, smooth communication between brain cells is important. Nerve cells must diligently exchange information with each other. However, as aging progresses, nerve cells shrink and insufficient nutrients are supplied. The brain produces less neurotransmitters, and the ability to exchange information between cells and memory declines.
Director Jang said, “Among omega-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) promotes efficient signal transmission between nerve cells.” It plays a role in reducing inflammation in the body, improving concentration, and preventing memory loss. As our bodies cannot produce omega-3 fatty acids on their own, they must be supplemented through food. Fish is the best source, along with leafy green vegetables such as spinach, vegetable oils such as canola oil, eggs and walnuts.
Hippocampus of a normal person The hippocampus is the central memory of the brain.
If the hippocampus deteriorates and brain atrophy is severe, the risk of developing dementia increases.
Berries contain flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants. Flavonoids reduce the risk of heart disease and reduce inflammation in the body. It is also beneficial for the aging brain. It interferes with the creation of ‘amyloid plaque’, which causes dementia, and facilitates the exchange of information between nerve cells. Hyperlipidemia is also a disease that damages the health of the brain. Hyperlipidemia is a condition where lipid components in the blood are high. Most hyperlipidemia is asymptomatic, but when complications occur, fatal diseases can occur. Especially in relation to the brain, it can lead to serious diseases such as stroke, so be careful.
In addition, △people who need to differentiate between brain diseases due to headache or dizziness △people who are suspected of having had a stroke △people who have risk factors for stroke △people who feel that memory is reduced should have an MRI and angiography magnetic resonance (MRA) tests It’s good to see. An MRI can see a cross section of the brain. Examine brain shape, left-right symmetry, and signs of past cerebral infarction or brain atrophy. An MRA is a test that can see blood vessels in the brain.
Min-wook Jang, director of the Brain Navigation Neurology Clinic, tells you whether you must get an MRI on the brain – a person who often suffers from headaches and dizziness
– People who suffer from sleeping disorders
– Those who are suspected of having had a stroke
-Those with stroke risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, smoking, heart disease)
-Those who experience memory loss or decline in cognitive function
-People with speech disorders, gait disorders, and tremors
Reporter Hong Eun-sim hongeunsim@donga.com
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