Page 1 of 1

Potential cognitive decline biomarker identified

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:37 am
by MSUK
Potential cognitive decline biomarker identified for earlier disease diagnosis

Image

Researchers from the Department of Neurology at NYU Langone Medical Center identified for the first time that changes in the tissue located at the junction between the outer and inner layers of the brain, called "blurring", may be an important, non-invasive biomarker for earlier diagnosis and the development of new therapies for degenerative brain conditions, such as multiple sclerosis. The study was published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

"The findings are significant because this is the first time we have mapped the distinct relationship between blurring of the boundary in the left hemisphere, where verbal language skills are managed, and the impact that changes in this area have on cognitive ability," said Karen Blackmon, PhD, research assistant professor, Department of Neurology and lead author of the study. "The fact that this occurs in healthy brains and appears to be connected with a person's cognitive function has significant implications for our ability to diagnose brain disease earlier and for the potential development of new therapies." ... Read More - http://bit.ly/vEUi88