HOUSTON: Sophisticated scans can spot early signs of brain damage in patients who have high blood pressure, researchers say.
This type of brain damage may ultimately undermine the ability to think clearly, make decisions and control emotions, the scientists explained.
The finding is based on a small study involving 30 people whose brains were scanned using a highly sensitive imaging technology known as DTI, or diffusion tensor imaging. DTI is an enhanced form of MRI.
Among the study participants, half had high blood pressure and half did not.
“We already have clear ways to explore the damage high blood pressure can cause to the kidneys, eyes and heart. We wanted to find a way to assess brain damage that could predict the development of dementia associated with vascular diseases,” said…