Physicians, who do not use the mathematical model, do their diagnosis through the observation of tomography images. Photos: imagenes-vitagenes.com
13 in each 100 Colombians suffer from Alzheimer Photo: brain-elrincondelacienciaylatecnologia.blogspot.com
Bogotá D.C., dic. 15 de 2011 - Agencia de Noticias UN- This method used to measure irregular forms in nature is now used to diagnose, accurately, one of the most common degenerative diseases in neurons.
With a concept denominated coefficient of fractal spatial correlation (an dimensionless term), which mathematically represents the complex distribution of the blood flows among two regions of the brain, Andy Domínguez Mendoza, mechanical engineer from Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá, quantified the global heterogeneity of the cerebral blood flow (perfusion)
Based on the observation of other studies from scientists who had already worked with Alzheimer, and the immersion in the mathematical world, he found with a formula that this coefficient is 0.75 (more irregular circulation) for patients with the disease and 0.34 (less irregular) for healthy people.
With this finding, the researcher proposes an integral assessment of the blood perfusion, since a general vision of the two areas and their connections is now offered. "The mathematical derivation articulates the two interconnected zones and assesses not only the severity of the local tissue, but also the severity at a global level," mentioned the expert.
Likewise, this is a study that destroys myths. For some doctors, the reduction of the amount of blood that circulates in the brain, as part of getting old, has meant that the irregularity of the blood flow is less. For Dominguez, this hypothesis is the result of a qualitative assessment, based on images, which has been used for decades in the medical field.
"When people see the topographies, a hypoperfusion is noticeable (a low blood flow) in some regions. This could suggest an irregularity in the distribution of the flow, but when measured objectively, it is noticeable that it is more irregular," mentioned
For this reason, the study of the engineer is proposed as a complement for the work of neurologists. "A recent graduate can use this technique and determine, through mathematics and physics, an objective diagnosis, in comparison to an experienced one, that could vary," asserted the expert.
A better diagnosis
In some occasions, the patients die due to treatments that do not correspond to the diagnosis. This study made at Universidad Nacional de Colombia is a useful tool, since if the value of a zone is elevated; it can be treated with a specific medicine. Mistakes during the procedures could be avoided and people could count on a foundation for medicine development."
Andy Dominguez expects to continue researching with this model to predict the evolution of the disease. He asserted that "the objective is to know the time in which a person could develop the disease in its different stages."
The methodology could also be used for other neurological diseases such as Parkinson.
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(Por: End/amp/whg)
N° 995
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