Radiology: Low Spine Bone Density Linked to Cognitive Decline

The study involved 715 individuals without cardiovascular disease, with an average age of 69. Researchers utilized chest computed tomography (CT) data and deep learning models to evaluate bone mineral density in the thoracic spine. The scientists then correlated these measurements with changes in the participants' brain structure and cognitive function over the subsequent follow-up period.

Lower bone mineral density was found to be associated with a faster decline in white matter integrity metrics in specific brain regions. Additionally, participants with lower bone density experienced a more rapid accumulation of white matter hyperintensities—changes commonly observed with aging that are linked to cerebrovascular health.

Furthermore, low bone mineral density was associated with a faster rate of decline in overall cognitive performance and cognitive assessment scores. However, the initial association between bone density and white matter changes across the entire brain did not persist after statistical adjustments, meaning the results should be interpreted with caution.

The researchers also discovered that diabetes amplified the link between low bone density and the accumulation of white matter changes.

The authors note that chest CT scans are frequently performed for various medical indications. According to Sarah Momtazmanesh from Johns Hopkins University, such imaging procedures could potentially be leveraged to assess spinal bone health while simultaneously identifying individuals at higher risk for subsequent cognitive decline.

Crucially, the study demonstrates an association rather than proving that reduced bone density directly causes brain function to deteriorate.