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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia

Using Retinal Imaging to Study Dementia

Published on: November 6, 2017

NIH Conference. Brain imaging: aging and dementia.

N R Cutler, R Duara, H Creasey

Annals of Internal Medicine

|September 1, 1984

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Brain imaging reveals age-related gray matter loss in healthy men but not altered glucose use. Alzheimer's dementia shows memory decline preceding reduced brain metabolism, while Down's syndrome presents elevated brain glucose utilization.

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Hybrid PET/MRI Imaging of Alzheimer's Disease Based on 18F-AV-1451

Hybrid PET/MRI Imaging of Alzheimer's Disease Based on ¹⁸F-AV-1451

Published on: April 18, 2025

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Radiology
Gerontology

Background:

Aging impacts brain structure and function.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by cognitive decline.
Down's syndrome (DS) is associated with neurological differences.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate brain function and anatomy across different age groups and neurological conditions.
To compare brain glucose metabolism and gray matter volume in healthy aging, AD, and DS.
To explore the relationship between cognitive deficits and brain imaging findings in AD.

Main Methods:

Positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) to assess brain glucose metabolism.
Computed tomography (CT) to evaluate brain anatomy and gray matter volume.
Neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive function.

Main Results:

Healthy aging showed age-related gray matter volume reduction on CT, but no significant change in brain glucose use.
In mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia, memory deficits preceded significant reductions in brain glucose utilization.
Hemispheric asymmetry in brain metabolism correlated with language and visuoconstructive impairments in AD.
Young adults with Down's syndrome exhibited significantly elevated brain glucose utilization compared to controls.

Conclusions:

Brain glucose metabolism is relatively preserved with age in healthy individuals, unlike gray matter volume.
Cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease are linked to metabolic changes and hemispheric asymmetries.
Altered brain glucose metabolism is a characteristic finding in young adults with Down's syndrome.
Strict control subject and patient selection criteria are crucial for accurate research findings.