A way to detect brain tumors without MRI and tests has been found

Some cognitive tests can detect signs of glioma - one of the most common and dangerous brain tumors - even before pronounced symptoms appear. This conclusion was reached by researchers from the University of Cambridge, who published their findings in the journal PLoS One.

Scientists analyzed data from 17 previous studies that examined the effectiveness of cognitive tests as prognostic tools for detecting brain tumors.

It was found that more than half of the methods aimed at assessing memory, attention, speech, and thinking speed allow for high accuracy in distinguishing patients with glioma from healthy individuals.

The most effective was the brief Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, which takes only a few minutes and can be administered by general practitioners. This test effectively identified differences in brain function between patients with tumors and those in the control group. According to the authors, MoCA represents a promising tool for early screening.

The researchers note that cognitive tests can become a valuable addition to primary diagnostics, helping to timely refer patients for MRI and other examinations. However, before implementing these methods in clinical practice, additional research is needed to confirm their accuracy and reliability in real-world conditions.