Imaging approaches for dementia

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2012 Nov;33(10):1836-44. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A2782. Epub 2011 Dec 1.

Abstract

Brain imaging has progressed from exclusion of rare treatable mass lesions to a specific antemortem diagnosis. MR imaging-derived hippocampal atrophy and WMH are regarded as imaging biomarkers of AD and CVD respectively. Abnormal FP-CIT SPECT or cardiac iodobenzamide SPECT is a useful supportive imaging feature in the diagnosis of DLB. Frontal and/or anterior temporal atrophy and anterior defects on molecular imaging with FDG-PET or perfusion SPECT are characteristic of FTDs. Whole-body FDG-PET may be helpful in patients with rapidly progressing "autoimmune dementias," and FLAIR and DWI are indicated in suspected CJD. A major role of imaging is in the development of new drugs and less costly biomarkers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Dementia / diagnosis*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / methods*
  • Whole Body Imaging / methods*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18