Alzheimer’s disease may begin shrinking two specific brain regions up to a decade before noticeable memory loss occurs, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Brain scans revealed that the entorhinal cortex and the amygdala, which are involved in memory and emotion, start losing tissue earlier than the hippocampus, the area doctors typically examine for signs of the condition. The findings are based on an analysis of hundreds of MRI and PET scans gathered from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging In…
Key points
Identifying early structural degradation could allow clinicians to detect Alzheimer's dis…: Identifying early structural degradation could allow clinicians to detect Alzheimer's disease up to a decade before symptoms emerge.
Monitoring the entorhinal cortex and amygdala offers a more sensitive diagnostic target t…: Monitoring the entorhinal cortex and amygdala offers a more sensitive diagnostic target than relying primarily on the hippocampus.
Earlier intervention enabled by these biomarkers may help halt or slow disease progressio…: Earlier intervention enabled by these biomarkers may help halt or slow disease progression prior to widespread brain damage.
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- Date:
- November 14, 2026
- Source:
- Johns Hopkins University
- Summary:
- 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 powerful new way to identify people at risk.
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Alzheimer's disease may begin leaving detectable clues in the brain as much as a decade before memory problems appear. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified two brain regions that show signs of deterioration earlier than the hippocampus, the area commonly examined for evidence of the disease.
The discovery could eventually help doctors recognize Alzheimer's years before symptoms develop, potentially allowing treatment to begin when it has the greatest chance of protecting the brain.
By examining hundreds of brain scans, the scientists found that the entorhinal cortex and amygdala, two regions involved in memory…
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