Alzheimer’s may leave a mark on the brain long before plaques appear
Science Daily · 2026-09-02
Scientists have identified structural changes in the brain that appear at least seven years before the amyloid plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease become visible on PET scans, which are currently considered the earliest detection method. Researchers at institutions including the University of Oslo tracked healthy individuals for nearly two decades, comparing MRI brain scans of those who later developed plaques with those who did not. This longitudinal study, published in *Nature Neuroscience* on September 2, 2026, suggests that disease-related processes may be active long before current imaging methods can detect them, potentially allowing for earlier detection and intervention before cognitive symptoms emerge. Professor Anders Martin Fjell notes that these early changes could indicate either harmful processes contributing to plaque accumulation, or other biological processes causing brain changes even prior to amyloid plaque buildup. The latter possibility, if true, emphasizes the importance of developing therapies that target mechanisms beyond amyloid plaque accumulation.