Medical professionals have expressed significant concern following reality television star Kim Kardashian's recent disclosure that a brain scan detected areas of 'low brain activity.' The 45-year-old celebrity had previously stunned the public by revealing she was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, a condition affecting an estimated 7 million Americans.
Understanding the Diagnosis and Scan Results
Earlier this year, Kardashian shared that she had been living with a brain aneurysm, a bulge in a blood vessel, which her doctors believe may have been present for years. Potential causes cited include high blood pressure or genetic factors. While often harmless, a ruptured aneurysm can lead to life-threatening bleeding in the brain.
In a subsequent medical examination, a SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) scan was performed. This imaging technique uses a radioactive tracer to create 3D pictures, highlighting blood flow and organ function. The scan reportedly identified regions of diminished activity in her frontal lobes.
Dr Daniel Amen, Kardashian's physician, described seeing 'holes' on the scan, indicating these zones of low activity. The frontal lobes, situated behind the forehead, are the brain's largest areas and are crucial for controlling memory, judgment, planning, and voluntary movement. "The front part of your brain is less active than it should be," Dr Amen stated.
Medical Experts Weigh In on the Findings
The announcement sparked various reactions online, but doctors speaking to the Daily Mail sought to clarify the medical reality. They emphasised that the term 'holes' does not refer to physical cavities but to areas with reduced blood flow, visible on the SPECT scan.
Dr Geny Augustine, a family medicine physician at Solace Health, explained, "When a doctor mentions 'holes' or 'low activity' on a SPECT scan, he’s talking about spots with low blood flow, not literal holes in the brain." She noted that such scans are typically reserved for diagnosing or monitoring specific conditions like heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer's, or aneurysms.
Several potential causes for reduced frontal-lobe activity were identified by experts, including:
- Chronic stress, anxiety, or depression
- High blood pressure or clogged arteries
- Vitamin deficiencies
- A chronic lack of sleep
Dr Jeremy M Liff, a neurologist and neurovascular specialist, confirmed, "Stress, anxiety, and depression are documented reasons and are considered reasonable contributing factors." He stressed, however, that "while stress can reduce activity, it does not cause actual holes in the brain."
The Role of Stress and Personal Circumstances
Kardashian herself has pointed to prolonged periods of intense stress as a root cause, specifically citing the strain of her tumultuous marriage to and divorce from Kanye West, as well as the pressure of studying for the California Bar Exam. Experts agree that chronic stress can cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing overall blood flow to critical brain regions like the frontal lobe.
Dr Liff added that mental health conditions can impair the brain's ability to self-regulate blood flow. Furthermore, the significant life event of a divorce, which Kardashian finalised in 2022, is known to elevate risks for depression, anxiety, and social isolation, though it has not been directly linked to a higher risk of brain aneurysm.
It remains unclear whether Kardashian's scan was ordered by a primary physician or sought independently. Dr Rhonda R Voskuhl, a neurology professor at UCLA, cautioned, "One should not get a SPECT scan on their own, as it will likely be uninterpretable without the context of the symptoms."
Doctors uniformly concluded that while the initial scan shows areas of concern, more comprehensive testing is required to determine a definitive cause. The initial SPECT results alone cannot confirm any overall reduction in brain function. The key takeaway for patients, according to Dr Liff, is that "every case must be handled individually and interpreted alongside the person’s symptoms and exam results."
