Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
05:17
Hybrid PET/MRI Imaging of Alzheimer's Disease Based on 18F-AV-1451
Published on: April 18, 2025
Staging Alzheimer's disease progression with multimodality neuroimaging
Michael Ewers1, Giovanni B Frisoni, Stefan J Teipel
1Department of Radiology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, USA. michael.ewers@ucsf.edu
Progress in Neurobiology
|July 2, 2011
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression shows a distinct pattern of brain changes, including cortical thinning and network disconnection. Understanding this trajectory is key for developing targeted treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Neuropathology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis and staging have historically relied on post-mortem studies.
- Medical neuroimaging advancements now allow in-vivo tracking of AD's spread through the brain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progressive signature of brain changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) across different stages.
- To integrate findings from neuroimaging and neuropathology to map AD's trajectory.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent findings on cortical gray matter volume changes using 4-D mapping.
- Integration of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data on white matter tract integrity.
- Analysis of molecular positron emission tomography (PET) for brain metabolism and amyloid pathology.
Main Results:
- Neurofibrillary tangles initially affect transentorhinal and cholinergic areas.
- Early progressive temporo-parietal cortical thinning and network disconnection are observed.
- In vivo imaging of atrophy and amyloid pathology aligns with post-mortem histopathology.
Conclusions:
- The trajectory of brain changes in AD is complex and influenced by genetic, comorbid, and individual reserve factors.
- Alignment of in vivo and post-mortem findings aids in understanding preclinical AD development.
- This knowledge is crucial for designing effective, mechanism-targeted AD treatments.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
01:30Dementia
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.