Neuroimaging in Dementia: A Comprehensive Evaluation Across Various Types(Atena Editora)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Dementia, marked by a progressive decline in cognitive functions, poses a growing public health challenge. The introduction provides an overview of dementia, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and the pivotal role of neuroimaging in identifying structural and functional brain changes. It traces the historical development of neuroimaging techniques and discusses various modalities, including MRI, CT, PET, and SPECT, and their contributions to understanding different dementia types. OBJETIVE To evaluate the role of neuroimaging in diagnosing and differentiating various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia, and to assess the structural and functional changes associated with each type. METHODS This is a narrative review which included studies in the MEDLINE – PubMed (National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health), COCHRANE, EMBASE and Google Scholar databases, using as descriptors: “Neuroimaging” AND “Dementia Diagnosis” AND “Alzheimer's Disease” OR “Brain Atrophy” OR “Functional MRI” in the last years. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The results and discussion sections delve into the specific findings from neuroimaging studies across different dementia types. MRI reveals significant hippocampal atrophy in Alzheimer's disease, white matter lesions in vascular dementia, and distinct patterns in Lewy body and frontotemporal dementias. PET imaging shows amyloid plaques and tau tangles in Alzheimer's disease, while fMRI studies reveal disruptions in brain connectivity. The use of advanced techniques like DTI provides insights into white matter integrity. Comparative analyses, longitudinal studies, and the impact of genetic factors are also discussed, highlighting the diagnostic and prognostic value of CONCLUSION Neuroimaging has significantly advanced the diagnosis and management of dementia, providing detailed assessments of brain structure and function. Despite challenges such as high costs and variability in protocols, ongoing advancements promise improved sensitivity and specificity of imaging biomarkers. Neuroimaging-based models for early detection and disease progression monitoring are crucial for timely interventions and better patient outcomes. The integration of neuroimaging in clinical practice continues to enhance our understanding and treatment of dementia, underscoring its indispensable role in modern medicine.