Brain imaging for diagnosing and monitoring AD

In addition, the following tests also may be done to help diagnose and monitor the progression of Alzheimer's disease:

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Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: an imaging scan that measures the level of functional activity of the brain by measuring its use of glucose. PET scanning is a non-invasive, three-dimensional imaging technique that can show how the heart, brain, or other internal organs are functioning, unlike X-ray, CT, or MRI, which show only body structure. PET can provide information to pinpoint and evaluate diseases of the brain. PET imaging can show the region of the brain that is causing a patient to have seizures and is useful in evaluating degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's. PET scans can show the difference in brain activity between a normal brain and one affected by Alzheimer's disease; they can also help differentiate Alzheimer's disease from other forms of dementia.

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan: a procedure that measures blood flow in different areas of the brain. SPECT is a noninvasive technique for creating very clear, three-dimensional pictures of a major organ, such as the brain or heart. SPECT scans use radionuclide imaging--a technique that involves the injection of a very small amount of a radioactive substance called a tracer. Energy from the tracer in the body is detected by a special camera, which then takes the pictures. SPECT can map blood flow in certain regions of the brain, and is useful in evaluating specific brain functions. This may reveal abnormalities that are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (MRSI): A test that allows the doctor to observe certain substances throughout the brain without the use of radioactive materials. MRSI is a noninvasive imaging technique that is used to study metabolic changes in brain tumors, strokes, seizure disorders, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and other diseases affecting the brain. It also has been used to study the metabolism of other organs. MRSI can be done as part of a routine MRI, but they are different tests. An MRI creates an image, and an MRSI creates a graph of the types and quantity of chemicals in the brain or other organs.