Can the MRI detect early signs of Alzheimer's or other neurological conditions?
Our full-body MRI includes a brain scan that may detect structural abnormalities such as tumors, cysts, vascular malformations, signs of previous strokes, and unusual changes in brain tissue.
For deeper neurological insight, brain volumetry can be booked as an add-on to any package (included in Pro). This AI-assisted analysis measures the volume of specific brain regions. Significant deviation from age-matched norms in areas like the hippocampus can be an early indicator of neurodegenerative processes, including Alzheimer's disease. However, brain volumetry alone cannot diagnose Alzheimer's: it identifies changes that may warrant further investigation by a neurologist.
Important limitations:
- MRI cannot detect amyloid plaques or tau tangles (the hallmark proteins of Alzheimer's), which require PET imaging or cerebrospinal fluid analysis
- Early-stage neurodegenerative diseases may not yet show visible structural changes on MRI
- A normal MRI result does not rule out neurological conditions
If you have a family history of Alzheimer's or are experiencing memory concerns, we recommend discussing this with a neurologist who can determine the most appropriate diagnostic pathway. Our report and physician consultation can help guide that conversation.
See our conditions overview for more on what our screening may detect.
