“MRI Use in Dementia Diagnosis: A Ugandan Perspective”

Dementia diagnosis faces significant hurdles in low-income countries like Uganda. One of these challenges is the underutilization of brain MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Even when MRI is available, crucial details such as mild regional brain shrinkage, which are vital for diagnosing dementia, often go unnoticed. This happens due to the lack of familiarity with these subtle findings among healthcare professionals. In Uganda, the use of brain MRI for dementia diagnosis is rare. When it’s employed, medical personnel may miss out on key indicators that could help in pinpointing the condition. This is particularly important because there are no definitive biomarkers for dementia, making diagnosis a complex process in low-resource settings. Understanding how to correctly interpret MRI scans is essential for accurate dementia diagnosis. However, in Uganda, training on this might be limited. Thus, enhancing the skills of imaging personnel and physicians could greatly improve the diagnostic process. There is a need to increase the use of brain MRI for dementia diagnosis in Uganda and ensure that healthcare professionals can identify and interpret subtle findings effectively. This would help in providing better care and support for patients with dementia.