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Alzheimer disease

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Patient with cognitive impairment.

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Female

Brain CT

ct

CT scan shows enlargement of cerebral sulci and loss of gyral volume associated with mild compensatory dilation of the ventricular system. This is perhaps most marked in the parietal regions. These are nonspecific findings that are sometimes found in the asymptomatic population in this age group.

Positron emission tomography

Nuclear medicine

PET-CT uses radiolabeled glucose analog FDG to measure glucose metabolism, which indicates levels of neuro-synaptic activity. On these FDG PET images, it is seen decreased metabolism activity on the bilateral parietotemporal cortex.

PET-CT (fusion of images)

Nuclear medicine

FDG PET-CT images show decreased metabolic activity in the bilateral parietotemporal cortex.

Case Discussion

This patient not only had cognition and memory impairment over the last 6 months but also had a family history of Alzheimer disease.

The severe hypometabolism noted in the temporal and parietal regions bilaterally is consistent with the pattern of Alzheimer disease.

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