Work

FDG- and amyloid-PET in Alzheimer's disease: is the whole greater than the sum of the parts?

Year: 2011

Type: review

Abstract: The development of prevention therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) would greatly benefit from biomarkers that are sensitive to subtle brain changes occurring prior to the onset of clinical symptoms, when the potential for preservation of function is at the greatest. In vivo brain imaging is a promising tool for the early detection of AD through visualization of abnormalities in brain structure, function and histopathology. Currently, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with amyloid-beta (Aβ) tracers and 2-[(18)F]fluoro-2-Deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) is largely utilized in the diagnosis of AD. This paper reviews brain Aβ- and FDG-PET studies in AD patients as well as in non-demented individuals at risk for AD. We then discuss the potential of combining symptoms-sensitive FDG-PET measures with pathology-specific Aβ-PET to improve the early detection of AD.

Source: PubMed

Authors: L Mosconi, P F McHugh

Institution: New York University

Language: English

Topic: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute on Aging, National Center for Research Resources

Awards: General Clinical Research Center, Alzheimer's Disease Core Center, Family History of Alzheimer's, Hypometabolism and Oxidative Stress, Clinical Correlates of Longitudinal PET Changes in AD, History of Alzheimer predisposes children to amyloid beta-related hypometabolism