Older adults who are more vulnerable to financial scams may have brain changes linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to a recent study. The researchers focused on the entorhinal cortex, a brain region that acts as a relay station between the hippocampus -- the brain's learning and memory center -- and the medial prefrontal cortex, which regulates emotion, motivation and other cognitive functions. It is often the first region to show changes in Alzheimer's disease, typically becoming thinner as the disease progresses.

None of the study participants, ages 52 to 83, showed clinical signs of cognitive impairment, but all underwent MRI scans to measure the thickness of their entorhinal cortex. In addition, the researchers used a standardized tool called Perceived Financial Exploitation Vulnerability Scale (PFVS) to assess the participants' financial awareness and their susceptibility to poor financial decisions, which they term "financial exploitation vulnerability," or FEV.

By comparing the adults' FEV with the thickness of their entorhinal cortex, the researchers found a significant correlation: Those more vulnerable to financial scams had a thinner entorhinal cortex. This was especially true for participants ages 70 and older.

Previous research has linked FEV to mild cognitive impairment, dementia and certain molecular brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the researchers suggest, the findings provide evidence supporting the idea that FEV could be a new clinical tool for detecting cognitive changes in older adults -- changes that are often difficult to detect.

One limitation is that the study is observational, and can’t prove cause and effect. Nonetheless, the authors note that FEV could help identify older adults in the early stages of mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and  FEV could become part of a broader risk profile assessment.

To read the abstract, published in Cerebral Cortex, click here