Alireza Mojtahedi MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Paul Dennis Campbell MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Even though cerebral metabolic activity in dementia has been studied extensively with 18F-FDG PET-CT of the brain, diagnostic value of the occipital lobe’s metabolic activity in differentiating advance type versus early Alzheimer’s dementia has not been studies thoroughly. To evaluate occipital metabolic activity in patient with Alzheimer's dementia, we studied the occipital metabolic activity using 18F-FDG PET-CT brain.

Retrospective review of patients with memory loss greater than 6 months was performed from January 2001 till December 2011. All patients were referred to nuclear medicine department through neurology clinic by neurologist to undergo 18F-FDG PET-CT for evaluation of dementia. 18F-FDG PET-CT brain was performed using Siemens Biograph 6 slice PET-CT scanner. Imaging characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease were defined by decreased metabolic activity of bilateral temporal and parietal lobes. Severe Alzheimer’s type dementia was defined by severely decrease bilateral temporal and parietal metabolism and diminished frontal activity.

Out of 292 patients with clinical presentation of memory loss and positive PET brain findings of Alzheimer's disease 27 patients demonstrated advanced type Alzheimer's pattern on their PET Brain. Only 4 patients demonstrated decreased occipital metabolism

In patients with PET brain findings of advance Alzheimer’s type dementia with hypometabolism of bilateral temporal, parietal and frontal lobes, the metabolic activity of occipital lobes is generaly preserved.

Knowing how to differentiate between various types of Alzheimer’s type dementia can providing additional information for clinicians and further help neurologists to improve their patient care.

Mojtahedi, A, Campbell, P, Occipital Lobe Metabolic Activity in Advance Type Alzheimer’s Dementia.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12035018.html