Decreased spinal bone density linked to worse cognitive function

Low spinal bone mineral density may be a sign of faster cognitive decline and changes in brain structure in older age. This conclusion was reached by scientists whose study was published in the journal Radiology.

The study included 715 people with a median age of 69 years. Using artificial intelligence, scientists determined the density of the thoracic vertebrae from CT scans, and then compared it with changes in the white matter of the brain and the results of cognitive tests.

It turned out that people with lower bone density deteriorated faster in overall measures of cognitive function. In addition, they accumulated changes faster in certain areas of white matter - tissue that transmits signals between different areas of the brain.

The association between low bone density and changes in white matter was particularly strong in people with diabetes. However, scientists do not yet claim that weakening bones in themselves leads to deterioration in brain function, since the study found a connection, but did not prove a cause-and-effect mechanism.

The authors note that vertebral density can be assessed from already performed chest CT scans. In the future, such an indicator could potentially be used as an additional marker of the risk of cognitive decline.