Based on magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI) of 2,000 healthy adults with an average of age 63, Dr. Aad van dr Lugt, an associate professor in radiology at Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam found that one in 60 older people may be walking around with benign brain tumors and don't know it. Even more may have bulging blood vessels in the head that could burst.

The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine October 25, 2007. It examined the causes and consequences of age-related brain changes. Because scans are being used at increasing rates, the chances that abnormalities could be detected are more likely.

It is estimated that approximately 20 million brain scans are performed yearly throughout the world.
In this study, participants who needed additional evaluation or treatment were referred to specialists.

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