The Role of Nuclear Medicine in the Diagnosis, Differentiation, Management, and Potential Cure of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the various studies, techniques, and contributions made in the field of nuclear medicine toward the diagnosis, differentiation, management, and potential cure of Alzheimer’s disease. The definitions, history, clinical symptoms, personal, social, and financial impacts are discussed first. Information on research into the causes and risk factors of the disease is presented, along with medically defined levels of disease prevention as they specifically relate to Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, studies and their results, employing a number of nuclear medicine techniques are presented (including nuclear medicine techniques combined with other imaging modalities, i.e., magnetic resonance imaging), in order to illustrate the progress being made in the association of nuclear medicine with Alzheimer’s disease.