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Semin Neurol 2017; 37(05): 510-537
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608808
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Neuroimaging in Dementia

Adam M. Staffaroni
1   Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California
,
Fanny M. Elahi
1   Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California
,
Dana McDermott
1   Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California
,
Kacey Marton
1   Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California
,
Elissaios Karageorgiou
1   Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California
2   Neurological Institute of Athens, Athens, Greece
,
Simone Sacco
1   Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California
3   Institute of Radiology, Department of Clinical Surgical Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
,
Matteo Paoletti
1   Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California
3   Institute of Radiology, Department of Clinical Surgical Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
,
Eduardo Caverzasi
1   Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California
4   Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
,
Christopher P. Hess
5   Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), California
,
Howard J. Rosen
1   Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California
,
Michael D. Geschwind
1   Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
05 December 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Although the diagnosis of dementia still is primarily based on clinical criteria, neuroimaging is playing an increasingly important role. This is in large part due to advances in techniques that can assist with discriminating between different syndromes. Magnetic resonance imaging remains at the core of differential diagnosis, with specific patterns of cortical and subcortical changes having diagnostic significance. Recent developments in molecular PET imaging techniques have opened the door for not only antemortem but early, even preclinical, diagnosis of underlying pathology. This is vital, as treatment trials are underway for pharmacological agents with specific molecular targets, and numerous failed trials suggest that earlier treatment is needed. This article provides an overview of classic neuroimaging findings as well as new and cutting-edge research techniques that assist with clinical diagnosis of a range of dementia syndromes, with an emphasis on studies using pathologically proven cases.

Keywords

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - positron emission tomography (PET) - diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) - neurodegenerative disease