ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

An alarming figure – 364,000 Canadians over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s and related dementias. That translates into 1 in every 13 people over the age of 65. And the projected numbers are even more alarming. The Canadian Study of Health and Aging published in the CMA Journal in 1994, estimated and ¾ million Canadians will have Alzheimer’s and related dementias by 2031.

Alzheimer's disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. PET scanning can help.

Alzheimer's disease is a disease that destroys brain cells. The destruction of cells causes a decline in mental functions that affect memory, thinking, language and behavior. While the disease can occur in people in their 40s and 50s, it most commonly affects those 65 and older.

PET and Alzheimer's

A PET scan can show the biological changes in the brain from Alzheimer's disease before any other diagnostic test and even several years earlier than the onset of symptoms. In doing so, this allows:

• Early drug therapy to slow the loss of the patient's ability to function.
• Future planning before loss of mental capacity.
• Provides a positive and accurate diagnosis of other dementing processes, chronic depression and normal aging.
• Provides help in the discovery and development of new therapies.
• Giving hope.

Early Detection

Alzheimer's disease is treatable, especially in its early stages. PET is a test that can definitely diagnose Alzheimer's early enough to make full use of drug therapies, reassure fearful patients who might not have the disease or redirect treatment for other conditions. Call your physician or CareImaging PET Scan Clinic in Ontario if you have questions about PET scans for Alzheimer's disease.

A PET scan shows a very consistent diagnostic pattern for Alzheimer's disease, where certain regions of the brain have decreased metabolism early in the disease (see arrows). In fact, the pattern often can be recognized several years before a physician is able to confirm the diagnosis and is also used to differentiate Alzheimer's from other confounding types of dementia or depression.

PET Scans of Alzheimer's Disease

PET images show the metabolic degeneration of the brain of a patient with Alzheimer's as it progressively reduces brain function. In the early stages of the disease, limited areas of the brain are dysfunctional, but in late stages of Alzheimer's, larger brain areas are affected. The structures that are spared and remain functioning are the portion of the cortex that controls the motor systems, such as the legs, arms and hands , the internal structures and the visual cortex at the back.

More Information About Alzheimer's Disease:

Alzheimer Society