Study Links Lower Bone Density To Cognitive Decline
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) | September 28, 2026
WASHINGTON, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 28th Sep, 2026) | A recent medical study has found that chest CT scans, performed for various indications, could provide valuable insights into brain health, with lower bone mineral density linked to faster cognitive decline.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University noted that this discovery could lead to the utilization of CT scans that patients already undergo for conditions like lung cancer screening, nodule follow-up, and calcium scoring.
The study revealed that decreased bone mineral density in the spine was associated with a quicker decline in global cognitive function and accelerated age-related white matter injury, as published in Radiology.
The research team employed a deep learning algorithm to analyze CT images and calculate bone mineral density in the thoracic vertebrae.
The findings indicated that lower baseline bone mineral density was connected to a steeper decline in global cognition. Moreover, they discovered that lower bone mineral density was linked to an increased accumulation of white matter hyperintensities in the corpus callosum, which plays a crucial role in executive functions, working memory, and attention.
The researchers suggested that identifying individuals with low bone mineral density might help flag those at risk for simultaneous skeletal and neurological deterioration, enabling earlier screening and shared risk factor management. However, they emphasized that these findings do not imply that osteoporosis causes dementia but rather highlight a correlation that may reflect shared factors contributing to both bone and brain degeneration.