#BloodFlowBrain

A new study shows that higher blood flow is associated with greater stiffness in the hippocampus, a key brain area for memory and learning. The University of Washington researchers used advanced imaging to reveal that increased blood flow corresponds with stiffer tissue in this region, a finding not observed in other parts of the brain. This could open a new avenue for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

The hippocampus is one of the first regions affected by Alzheimer’s, which can lead to memory loss and cognitive decline. Using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), researchers measured tissue stiffness with high precision. They found that enhanced blood flow makes the hippocampus stiffer, suggesting a dynamic link between vascular health and brain structure.

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have uncovered that increased blood flow correlates with greater stiffness in the hippocampus, a crucial brain area for memory and learning. This finding, significant for its implications for early Alzheimer’s detection, emerges from research conducted at the University of Washington.

The hippocampus holds particular importance because it is often one of the first brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease, which severely impacts memory and cognitive function. Scientists utilized magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to precisely measure tissue stiffness, discovering that enhanced blood flow makes the hippocampus stiffer, a trait not observed in other brain regions.