Scientists have developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that measures the speed of cerebrospinal fluid flow, which flushes dangerous proteins from the brain. This breakthrough could aid in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, reports infohub.kz.
Researchers from the University of Rochester, Brown University, and the University of Copenhagen devised a method based on MRI. The neural network analyzes the spread of a contrast agent in images, allowing calculation of fluid flow velocity and tissue permeability. Previously, MRI could not measure such low velocities with precision.
They found that in open spaces near the brain's surface, fluid moves at several microns per second, while deeper in tissues the flow slows by about 50 times. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the glymphatic system, which flushes the brain during deep sleep, removing metabolic waste, including amyloid proteins linked to Alzheimer's.
Professor Douglas Kelley noted that the technology could help diagnose circulatory disorders and concussion effects at early stages. In the future, the method will be adapted for clinical use in humans.