Several pathologies of the heart, e.g. atrial fibrillation, myocardial infraction and heart failure are associated with brain pathologies such as stroke and dementia.
A group of Dutch researchers set out ti investigate whether such a heart-brain connection existed at an earlier stages of disease. They did so by comparing Diffusion Tensor Imaging MRI imaging of the brains of 2432 elderly participants with the plasma levels of pro NT-BNP, a systemic marker whose levels can provide information on early cardiac dysfunction.
Preliminary results were presented at the recent RSNA congress. This article summarizes the findings.