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Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease

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New Trends in the Diagnosis and Therapy of Alzheimer’s Disease

Part of the book series: Key Topics in Brain Research ((KEYTOPICS))

Summary

Both cranial computerized tomography (CCT) and magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) are important tools in the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Volumetric CCT assessment and MRT analysis of brain, ventricular and intracavity volumes are mandatory for monitoring the progression of the disease, and have been highly standardized. Temporal lobe volume measurement by CCT and, in particular, by MRT, are useful for early diagnosis of AD and prospective studies of at risk populations. Both measurement of gray matter loss and white matter abnormalities give useful results, although the interpretation of white matter lesions in aged subjects may be difficult. MR spectroscopy, demonstrating significant chemical changes in aging brain and in AD subjects, suggests changes of phospholipid cell membranes in gray and white matter in AD and may be helpful in distinguishing AD from multiple infarctions. The specificity and sensitivity of recently developed MR spectroscopy tests remain to be established.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universitätsklinik für Neurologie und Gemeinsame Einrichtung für Magnetresonanztomographie und Spektroskopie, Medizinische Fakultät, Leopold-Franzens-Universität, Innsbruck, Austria

    Univ.-Prof. Dr. F. T. Aichner, S. R. Felber & G. G. Birbamer

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  1. Univ.-Prof. Dr. F. T. Aichner
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  2. S. R. Felber
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  3. G. G. Birbamer
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Lainz Hospital, Vienna, Austria

    K. A. Jellinger

  2. Department of Neurology, Landesnervenklinik, Salzburg, Austria

    G. Ladurner

  3. Department of Research and Development, Ebewe Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Unterach, Austria

    M. Windisch

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© 1994 Springer-Verlag/Wien

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Aichner, F.T., Felber, S.R., Birbamer, G.G. (1994). Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In: Jellinger, K.A., Ladurner, G., Windisch, M. (eds) New Trends in the Diagnosis and Therapy of Alzheimer’s Disease. Key Topics in Brain Research. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-9376-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-9376-1_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-211-82620-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-9376-1

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