Clinical Need And Target Population
Dementia
Dementia is a general term for the condition of memory loss, cognitive impairment, and/or personality and behavioural changes. Nearly 750,000 Canadians were affected by cognitive impairment and dementia in 2011, and the number of prevalent cases is projected to nearly double to 1.4 million by 2031. The various types of dementia result from different underlying brain pathologies and present with variable and typical symptoms that are described below.
The Limitations Of Amyloid Pet In Ad
Major deterrents to the widespread use of amyloid PET remain cost and availability. Availability has been improved by the development of F-18-labeled agents that can be distributed to PET scanners not associated with a cyclotron. Cost remains an issue, especially where CSF measurement of A42 can provide very similar information when the question is simply the presence or absence of brain A deposition. Being an early event in the pathogenesis of AD, amyloid PET is not a good surrogate marker of progression during the clinical stage of the disease . This role is filled much better by structural MRI and FDG PET . Similarly, amyloid imaging gives much more of a binary diagnostic readout than techniques such as MRI and FDG PET. That is, amyloid imaging has a certain specificity for the pathology of AD, but when that pathology is absent, a negative amyloid PET scan will be identical regardless of the non-AD etiology of the dementia. In contrast, MRI and FDG PET may give an indication of a frontotemporal or vascular pathology when an amyloid PET scan would be ambiguously negative in both cases. The threshold of sensitivity of amyloid PET has yet to be precisely determined, but it is clear that some level of amyloid deposition is histologically detectable prior to the in vivo signal becoming positive .
Pet Imaging May Also Be Used While Diagnosing Alzheimer’s
Positron-Emissions Tomography, or the PET scan, is the last type of investigation that we will spotlight in this article. There is no need to get into the complicated physics of what is happening to explain how this instrument works, but the simple version may be helpful. A PET scan is a type of study that is used to determine how much glucose is being used by tissue. This can give a reasonable representation of how quickly the brain is metabolizing the sugar. The more active an area, the more glucose will be needed in order to maintain these functions.
The application of this PET scan in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease is apparent in modern medicine. There are numerous studies that have shown the PET scan to be a very good tool in diagnosing the early changes in the brain. It is also able to differentiate more precisely between normal aging and patterns likely seen only in patients who have Alzheimer’s Disease, making it a fairly accurate diagnostic tool. Another advantage of this type of investigation is that it can produce models that can predict the speed of memory decline in the future. This can help doctors target specific treatments and identify symptoms that may become more pronounced depending on the region of the brain involved in the patient.
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Signs Of Dementia In The Brain
Patients exhibit multiple cognitive and behavioral symptoms upon entering the earliest stages of dementia, but these external signs are not the only indications that a physician uses to determine a patients mental health. Signs accruing and developing inside the brain are more significant, and may help to make a more formal determination of the type of dementia affecting the patient. Brain imaging, such as MRI or PET scans, can reveal these signs and contribute to a more accurate diagnosis.
Data Extraction And Quality Assessment
Data extraction and quality assessment were completed by one reviewer and checked by a second disagreements were resolved through discussion or referral to a third reviewer. We extracted data on: inclusion/exclusion criteria, included patients, CT and MRI technical and operator details, reference standard, imaging finding, definition of a positive imaging finding, numbers of patients in each patient group , and number of patients with positive imaging findings in each group. The patient groups were dichotomised as VaD or mixed dementia compared to AD or other diagnoses. This allowed construction of 2×2 tables of test performance, separately for each imaging finding assessed. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaborations adaption of the QUADAS tool .
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Can Mri Diagnose Dementia
Can MRI Diagnose Dementia?
Can MRI diagnose dementia? The answer is complicated. It can definitely help in the diagnosis.
In Radiology, patients pose this question often. Can MRI show if I have dementia? In fact, we scan patients every day with a diagnosis of dementia, memory loss, Alzheimers, and confusion, among a variety of other neurological disorders.
The truth is that MRI is NOT the test to formally diagnose dementia. But to understand how MRI fits into the diagnosis process of a patient with suspected dementia, one must first understand how dementia is defined.
Dementia is a general term for neurocognitive deficiencies that impair or interfere with living a normal life due to memory deficits, decision making issues, or difficulty thinking clearly. Alzheimers disease is the most common and well known rendition of dementia, but there are other forms of the disease as well.
As we age, the capacity to remember, think sharply, or complete tasks independently inherently decreases. In fact, one could argue that we all show signs of dementia as we enter our golden years. This process is natural and considered a normal part of aging.
The term dementia starts to bubble up when an individual exhibits neurological deficits that cause them to stand out from their peers. This is usually noticed by people who know the individual best and can judge their cognitive decline, and see how it affects their daily lives.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Stroke
Current Practice In Diagnosing Dementia
The remainder of this information will provide an overview of the diagnosis process and a guide to what happens after diagnosis.
It is important to remember that there is no definitive test for diagnosing Alzheimers disease or any of the other common causes of dementia. Findings from a variety of sources and tests must be pooled before a diagnosis can be made, and the process can be complex and time consuming. Even then, uncertainty may still remain, and the diagnosis is often conveyed as possible or probable. Despite this uncertainty, a diagnosis is accurate around 90% of the time.
People with significant memory loss without other symptoms of dementia, such as behaviour or personality changes, may be classified as having a Mild Cognitive Impairment . MCI is a relatively new concept and more research is needed to understand the relation between MCI and later development of dementia. However, MCI does not necessarily lead to dementia and regular monitoring of memory and thinking skills is recommended in individuals with this diagnosis.
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How Brain Scans Assist With Identifying Dementia
Alzheimers disease is the most common type of dementia. A CT scan or MRI can assist with identifying a physical change or brain condition contributing to dementia or Alzheimers symptoms: These signs include:
- Indication a stroke has occurred
- Tumors
- Cortical atrophy, or wrinkled ridges of tissue forming on the brain
- Changes in the brains structure and functioning, including loss of brain mass
While dementia may be a symptom of the above conditions, an atrophied hippocampus is a sign of Alzheimers disease.
While preferred, CT and MRI scans might not deliver the results a doctor is seeking. If tests come back inconclusive, positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography might be requested. These scans examine various aspects of brain activity, including oxygen use and blood flow, and can identify symptoms that separate Alzheimers from other types of dementia.
Additionally, an electroencephalogram may be requested to observe abnormal brain activity. While an EEG is not ideal for diagnosing Alzheimers disease, it can identify other conditions for which dementia and cognitive decline are symptoms. Furthermore, this test can detect the source of seizures an issue for roughly 10 percent of Alzheimers patients.
Other Imaging Options That Can Diagnose Dementia
Several other brain imaging procedures exist. Each can help detect dementia in different ways.
EEGs
EEGs are sometimes used on people who have suspected seizures, which accompany some types of dementia.
The procedure involves placing several electrodes at different points on the scalp to check for abnormalities in the brain through the recorded patterns of electrical activity.
The electrical activity shows instances of cognitive dysfunction that plague parts of the brain or the entire organ.
People with MODERATE to SEVERE cases of dementia present abnormal EEGs.
The procedure can also identify seizures, which 10% of people with Alzheimers are reported to experience.
Functional Brain Imaging
Functional brain imaging procedures are not often used as diagnostic tools. But they help researchers in the process of studying people with dementia.
They include functional single-photon emission computed tomography , MRI , magnetoencephalography , and positron emission tomography scans.
Nowadays, they have a hand in the EARLY DETECTION of dementia.
fMRI measures metabolic changes happening within the brain using strong magnetic fields.
SPECT scans reveal blood distribution within the brain. This aspect is responsible for discovering increased brain activity.
PET scans pick up on blood flow, glucose, and oxygen metabolism, and if amyloid proteins are present within the brain.
MEG scans record the electromagnetic fields that the brain produces through neuronal activities.
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How Is Dementia Treated
While there is no cure for some dementias, the progression of some types of dementia can be slowed or even reversed with treatment. Options include:
- Treating the cause of dementia when there is a treatable cause: This includes hormonal treatment for hypothyroidism, treating hydrocephalus with shunting, evacuation of subdural collections, etc.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors, a type of medication that may slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease by helping people improve their attention and working memory.
- Medications to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, diabetes, and problems with blood clotting.
- Procedures to improve blood flow to the brain, such as carotid endarterectomy or Angioplasty and Vascular Stenting.
- Lifestyle modifications, such as following a healthy diet and adding an exercise regimen, quitting smoking and quitting or decreasing alcohol consumption.
Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
After extensive research, we look into the commonly-asked-question of whether or not can a CT scan show dementia.
It IS POSSIBLE to detect the condition by watching for telltale signs in loved ones or yourself.
The cause of action, in this case, is to visit a physician right away so that they can perform brain imaging procedures TO DETECT the progressive neurologic disorder.
That begs the question, can a CT scan show dementia?
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Why Early Detection Can Be Difficult
Alzheimers disease usually is not diagnosed in the early stages, even in people who visit their primary care doctors with memory complaints.
- People and their families generally underreport the symptoms.
- They may confuse them with normal signs of aging.
- The symptoms may emerge so gradually that the person affected doesnt recognize them.
- The person may be aware of some symptoms but go to great lengths to conceal them.
Recognizing symptoms early is crucial because medication to control symptoms is most effective in the early stages of the disease and early diagnosis allows the individual and his or her family members to plan for the future. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact a physician.
When Will An Mri Be Done To See If I Have Dementia
An MRI can be done as part of your healthcare providers testing and evaluations to determine if you are living with dementia.
- History
Your healthcare provider will begin with a history of your symptoms. It is a good idea for a close friend or family member to go with you. Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and ask questions as to when your dementia symptoms began. At this point, they will check to ensure that no other preexisting conditions are causing your symptoms.
- Physical Exam
After your healthcare provider reviews your history, they will perform a physical exam and assess your overall health.
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Do I Need A Brain Scan To Diagnose Alzheimers Disease
Question: Do I need a brain scan to diagnose Alzheimers disease?
Answer: Yes, No, Maybe..
Alzheimers disease and dementia are diagnosed by physicians by taking a careful medical history from the patient and a family member, doing a number of brief memory and cognitive tests, and performing a physical exam. Whether your doctor will also order a brain scan might depend on where you live!
In the U.S., it is recommended that everyone being investigated for dementia have a CT scan or MRI . In Canada, we suggest that brain scans are only essential in cases where the history and physical exam suggest that the dementia is caused by something other than Alzheimers disease . Even in Canada, however, if you are seen by a dementia specialist, you will likely have a brain scan ordered, because of the extra information the scans can provide. Besides helping with the diagnosis for rarer forms of dementia, they can also help determine the presence of cerebrovascular disease. Cerebrovascular disease can be a primary cause of dementia, but can also frequently be mixed with other pathology like Alzheimers disease.
How Biomarkers Help Diagnose Dementia
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Biomarkers are measurable indicators of whats happening in the body. These can be found in blood, other body fluids, organs, and tissues. Some can even be measured digitally. Biomarkers can help doctors and researchers track healthy processes, diagnose diseases and other health conditions, monitor responses to medication, and identify health risks in a person. For example, an increased level of cholesterol in the blood is a biomarker for heart attack risk.
Before the early 2000s, the only sure way to know whether a person had Alzheimers disease or another form of dementia was after death through autopsy. But thanks to advances in research, tests are now available to help doctors and researchers see biomarkers associated with dementia in a living person.
The different types of biomarkers for dementia detection and diagnosis are outlined below. When combined with other tests, these biomarkers can help doctors determine whether a person might have or be at risk of developing Alzheimers or a related dementia. However, no single test can alone diagnosis these conditions. Biomarkers are only part of a complete assessment. Read more about diagnosing dementia.
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Proposed Treatments Of Patients Having Ad With Ionizing Radiation
Bistolfi states that vascularcerebral amyloidosis is the hallmark of AD.24 Localized tracheobronchial amyloidosis has been successfully treated with beams of radiation, 20 Gy in 10 fractions of 200 cGy in 2 weeks. As 20 Gy in 2 weeks is followed by inflammatory reactions, this high dosage cannot be suggested in the hypothetical treatment of AD. An innovative alternative might be a weekly long-term low dose, say 50 to 100 cGy, fractionated radiotherapy , matching the very slow response of amyloid to radiation. Before applying it to patients with AD, the proposed schedule should be tried in patients with TBA to compare the new results of long-term fractionated RT with the results of 20 Gy/2 w. Should long-term fractionated RT prove effective, its application to patients with AD might become an effective and safe treatment.24
On July 17, 2013, an application for a patent was published, titled Radiation therapy for treating Alzheimers disease.27 It makes 14 claims for treating human patients by a method, which is based on studies carried out using mice. The method comprises administering a relatively large amount of ionizing radiation to the brain of the patient employing a variety of different radiation sources. The total dose ranges from 300 to 1800 cGy, administered in dose fractions of 50 to 300 cGy per day. The method is claimed to treat AD by reducing the number or size of amyloid plaques in the brain of the patient.27
Can A Ct Scan Show Dementia Conclusion
The bottom line is that CT scans and other brain imaging procedures CAN HELP diagnose dementia at any stage.
Combined with other assessments available, an individual battling the condition can get help early enough to manage it.
Families of people with dementia and caregivers can also access crucial information from these tests. They help in the process of caring for the individual.
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Tests For Diagnosing Dementia
With 50 million people around the world living with some form of dementia, accurate dementia screening tests are more important than ever. Because dementia can have a major impact on an individuals career, family, functional abilities and independence, an early diagnosis can be crucial for addressing the disorder quickly and effectively.
If you or a loved one may have dementia, its helpful to understand what dementia is, common symptoms of the disease and the imaging tests typically used to discern a dementia diagnosis. With this knowledge, you can find out more details about the options for treating the condition.
Blood Tests To Check For Other Conditions
Your GP will arrange for blood tests to help exclude other causes of symptoms that can be confused with dementia.
In most cases, these blood tests will check:
- liver function
- haemoglobin A1c
- vitamin B12 and folate levels
If your doctor thinks you may have an infection, they may also ask you to do a urine test or other investigations.
Read more about blood tests.
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Structural Signs Of Dementia
Structural imaging of the brain consists of computed tomography and the popularly known magnetic resonance imaging scans. This kind of imaging focuses on the morphology as well as the structural details of the brain’s composition. It is a very physical kind of scan, searching for solid, visible signs of degeneration or abnormalities.
Degenerative dementia causes a number of visible physical signs in the brain in some patients, but is not always easy to detect. CT scans can usually observe some atrophy of the brain’s medial temporal lobe, but the CT scans’ lack of sensitivity can occasionally be problematic. MRI scans, of much higher resolution, can capture atrophy of the hippocampus in nearly 90 percent of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease.