Overview
- An eNeuro study led by Ning Li introduces the Functional-Structural Ratio (FSR), calculated by dividing a functional activity measure (ALFF) by gray matter volume to quantify brain function–structure coupling.
- The study compared 55 adults with presbycusis to 55 matched controls aged 50–74, with hearing loss classified as mostly mild to moderate in the affected group.
- Lower FSR in the putamen, fusiform gyrus, precuneus, and medial superior frontal gyrus correlated with worse hearing thresholds and poorer performance on memory and executive function tests including MoCA, AVLT, and TMT-A.
- The authors propose FSR as a candidate MRI biomarker for identifying dementia risk in people with age-related hearing loss and emphasize the importance of maintaining hearing health.
- Because the findings are cross-sectional and from a modest sample, the authors call for replication and longitudinal or intervention studies, while independent clinicians note potential for early detection and treatment monitoring and cite benefits from hearing aids and cochlear implants.