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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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MRI Report Of The 38 Year Old Saying Mild Diffuse Cerebral Volume Loss Greater Than Expected. Does It Mean The Brain Is Shrinking? Alzhiemer's Or Dementia?

I just read my brain MRI report and the findings were of Mild diffuse cerebral volume loss greater than expected for the patients young age. The ventricles are normal in appearance . I am only 38 years old. Does this mean my brain is shrinking? Does this mean that I am developing Dementia or the early onset of Alzhiemers? Just a little personal hx & fm hx, I do have memory & concentration problems and my paternal grandmother had Dementia/Alzhiemers (can t remember which one, go figure) and physically, I seem to have inherited more features from my fathers side of the family. Please help me understand these findings. Thank you.
Thu, 18 Oct 2012
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Neurologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.

First of all, let me reassure you that you do not have dementia or Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The most important criteria for diagnosis of dementia and AD is clinical examination by a doctor and not an MRI brain.

Also, there is no correlation between size of brain and brain functions. So, your brain finding (mild diffuse volume loss) could be a normal incidental finding.

If your brain functions are within normal limits, there is no need to worry. I have noted that you do have memory and concentration issues. But is that seriously interfering with your daily life?

For a person to qualify for dementia, he should have severe memory loss and loss of at least one other brain function, which interferes with day-to-day functioning.

I hope it clarifies.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad
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MRI Report Of The 38 Year Old Saying Mild Diffuse Cerebral Volume Loss Greater Than Expected. Does It Mean The Brain Is Shrinking? Alzhiemer's Or Dementia?

Hi, Thank you for posting your query. First of all, let me reassure you that you do not have dementia or Alzheimer s disease (AD). The most important criteria for diagnosis of dementia and AD is clinical examination by a doctor and not an MRI brain. Also, there is no correlation between size of brain and brain functions. So, your brain finding (mild diffuse volume loss) could be a normal incidental finding. If your brain functions are within normal limits, there is no need to worry. I have noted that you do have memory and concentration issues. But is that seriously interfering with your daily life? For a person to qualify for dementia, he should have severe memory loss and loss of at least one other brain function, which interferes with day-to-day functioning. I hope it clarifies. Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) Senior consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad