Progressive neurodegenerative brain disease generally characterized by impairments in episodic memory and other cognitive domains
Likely related to β-amyloid (βA) and tau aggregation leading to synaptic dysfunction, neuronal/glial cell death
Role of imaging
Early detection of preclinical AD
Diagnosis of AD with clinical presentation and other biomarkers
Differential diagnosis between AD and other causes of dementia
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Clinical symptoms of memory &/or other cognitive problems greater than normal for age and education
Increased risk of conversion to AD, but not all progress to full dementia
Annual conversion rate from MCI to dementia ~ 5-10%
Pre-AD or pre-clinical AD
Stage of disease process where series of pathologic events occurs in brain (e.g., βA plaque deposition) but prior to onset of significant clinically detectable symptoms
IMAGING
General Features
Nuclear Medicine Findings
MR Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Key Imaging Findings
Selected References
Jagust W: Imaging the evolution and pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurosci. 19(11):687-700, 2018
Alzheimer's Association Report 2018 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1552526018300414?via%3Dihub. Published May 2018. Accessed December 2019
Rice L et al: The diagnostic value of FDG and amyloid PET in Alzheimer's disease-A systematic review. Eur J Radiol. 94:16-24, 2017
Weidman DA et al: Added value and limitations of amyloid-PET imaging: review and analysis of selected cases of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Neurocase. 23(1):41-51, 2017
SNMMI Procedure Standard-EANM Practice Guideline for Amyloid PET. http://snmmi.files.cms-plus.com/ACNM/Documents/SNMMI-EANM%20Standard%20for%20Amyloid%20PET%20Imaging%20of%20the%20Brain%20.pdf. Published January 2016. Accessed December 2019
Johnson KA et al: Appropriate use criteria for amyloid PET: a report of the Amyloid Imaging Task Force, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimers Dement. 9(1):e-1-16, 2013
Hyman BT et al: National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association guidelines for the neuropathologic assessment of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 8(1):1-13, 2012
Herholz K et al: Clinical amyloid imaging in Alzheimer's disease. Lancet Neurol. 10(7):667-70, 2011
McKhann GM et al: The diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease: recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 7(3):263-9, 2011
Related Anatomy
Loading...
Related Differential Diagnoses
Loading...
References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Alzheimer disease (AD)
Progressive neurodegenerative brain disease generally characterized by impairments in episodic memory and other cognitive domains
Likely related to β-amyloid (βA) and tau aggregation leading to synaptic dysfunction, neuronal/glial cell death
Role of imaging
Early detection of preclinical AD
Diagnosis of AD with clinical presentation and other biomarkers
Differential diagnosis between AD and other causes of dementia
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Clinical symptoms of memory &/or other cognitive problems greater than normal for age and education
Increased risk of conversion to AD, but not all progress to full dementia
Annual conversion rate from MCI to dementia ~ 5-10%
Pre-AD or pre-clinical AD
Stage of disease process where series of pathologic events occurs in brain (e.g., βA plaque deposition) but prior to onset of significant clinically detectable symptoms
IMAGING
General Features
Nuclear Medicine Findings
MR Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Key Imaging Findings
Selected References
Jagust W: Imaging the evolution and pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurosci. 19(11):687-700, 2018
Alzheimer's Association Report 2018 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1552526018300414?via%3Dihub. Published May 2018. Accessed December 2019
Rice L et al: The diagnostic value of FDG and amyloid PET in Alzheimer's disease-A systematic review. Eur J Radiol. 94:16-24, 2017
Weidman DA et al: Added value and limitations of amyloid-PET imaging: review and analysis of selected cases of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Neurocase. 23(1):41-51, 2017
SNMMI Procedure Standard-EANM Practice Guideline for Amyloid PET. http://snmmi.files.cms-plus.com/ACNM/Documents/SNMMI-EANM%20Standard%20for%20Amyloid%20PET%20Imaging%20of%20the%20Brain%20.pdf. Published January 2016. Accessed December 2019
Johnson KA et al: Appropriate use criteria for amyloid PET: a report of the Amyloid Imaging Task Force, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimers Dement. 9(1):e-1-16, 2013
Hyman BT et al: National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association guidelines for the neuropathologic assessment of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 8(1):1-13, 2012
Herholz K et al: Clinical amyloid imaging in Alzheimer's disease. Lancet Neurol. 10(7):667-70, 2011
McKhann GM et al: The diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease: recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 7(3):263-9, 2011
STATdx includes over 200,000 searchable images, including x-ray, CT, MR, and ultrasound images. To access all images, please log in or subscribe.