Midlife myelin degeneration could be a contributing factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease later on, according to Dr. George Bartzokis, a UCLA neuroscientist. He analyzed data from MR exams and post-mortem tissue to study the breakdown of myelin over a lifetime.
Dear AuntMinnie member,
They say that wisdom comes with age, though a few less pleasant side effects, such as aches and pains and wrinkles, also come to mind. More seriously, growing older brings about a progressive loss of white-matter myelin, the main nerve conductor between the brain and the body.
This midlife myelin degeneration could be a contributing factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease later on, according to Dr. George Bartzokis, a UCLA neuroscientist. He analyzed data from MR exams and post-mortem tissue to study the breakdown of myelin over a lifetime. To read more about Bartzokis’ research, click here or visit the MRI Digital Community.
Bartzokis suggested that one possible method of stimulating myelin production is to keep the brain active -- and what better way to do that than by studying copious amounts of imaging literature? To that end, check out the Residents Digital Community for a list of the Top Teaching Files, as compiled for AuntMinnie.com by Dr. Daniel Reidman at the Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA.
To learn how the ranking of these interactive education tools came about, click here, or go directly to the Top Teaching Files. And if you happen to be in a book-buying mood, be sure to stop by our OpenMarket for the latest radiology titles.
Finally, maintaining healthy bones is just as important as keeping a sharp mind. And when injuries occur, accurate imaging is key. Spanish investigators improved on an old method by using panoramic x-ray for wrist trauma. Their results, which you can read about in the X-ray Digital Community, were positive, but whether their technique will become the new standard remains to be seen.
