In the November 27, 2025 episode of the reality show The Kardashians, Kim Kardashian, age 45, underwent a brain scan with Dr. Daniel Amen. According to Dr. Amen, the scan showed “low brain activity” in her frontal lobes, a finding that, he explained, could affect functions such as stress management and decision-making.
Despite identifying the reduced activity, Dr. Amen also noted that Kardashian did not exhibit signs typically linked with Alzheimer’s disease, and described her as currently not anxious or depressed.
Kardashian reacted with shock and disbelief to the scan results. “That just can’t be,” she said during the show. She acknowledged the need to address her brain health going forward.
The brain scan and its results came shortly after Kardashian revealed she had been diagnosed with a small brain aneurysm, a bulge in a blood vessel in the brain, discovered during a prior full-body “Prenuvo” scan. She told her sister the aneurysm had likely “been there for years.”
Aneurysms can be serious because if they rupture, they may lead to bleeding in the brain, stroke, or even death. The presence of an aneurysm can warrant monitoring, lifestyle adjustments, and sometimes further imaging or intervention depending on size, location, and associated risk factors.
The frontal lobes, where the reduced activity was detected are critical for executive functions, including planning, stress regulation, impulse control, and decision-making. Reduced activity in this area might affect cognitive performance, emotional regulation, or stress response.
Dr. Amen attributed the scan findings possibly to chronic stress, citing Kardashian’s demanding schedule: preparation for the California bar exam, ongoing legal proceedings, and the pressures of public life.
While “low brain activity” on such scans can be concerning, it does not necessarily equate to dementia or irreversible brain damage. According to the scan’s interpretation, there were no signs of Alzheimer’s or major neurodegenerative disease at present.
Medical experts often caution that brain scans, especially those interpreted outside peer-reviewed or research contexts should be evaluated carefully. Brain function, especially under stress, can fluctuate; lifestyle, mental health, sleep, and other factors can influence imaging results.
As shown in the episode, Kardashian indicated she will adopt a “stress-reduction plan,” involving lifestyle changes and further monitoring under medical supervision.
Given her prior aneurysm diagnosis, she may undergo periodic imaging to monitor the aneurysm’s size and stability, alongside evaluation of any neurological symptoms, a standard practice for patients with asymptomatic aneurysms.
Understanding limitations of brain scans: While imaging can provide valuable insights, findings like “low activity” need to be interpreted with caution, ideally supported by clinical history, neuropsychological assessment, and follow-up scans.
Emphasis on prevention & follow-up: Conditions like aneurysms, especially when incidentally found, benefit from careful follow-up, including blood-pressure control, avoidance of excessive stress, and lifestyle modifications.
(Rh/TL)