Brain scans provide highly detailed and accurate images that allow your healthcare provider to look for changes that could confirm or rule out Alzheimer’s disease.
While brain scans alone can’t confirm a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, your provider will depend on brain scans along with other tests to help understand your symptoms. That’s why brain scans are an important part of the diagnostic process.
Let’s take a closer look at how brain scan can help your provider to check for the common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, including MRI scans and PET scans.
How do different brain scans help to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease?
Depending on your condition and your circumstances, your healthcare provider will order a certain brain scan, like an MRI scan or a PET scan. Different types of brain scans reveal different kinds of information about the brain.
In certain cases, a CT scan may be recommended if you are unable to undergo an MRI due to unremovable metal implants or claustrophobia. Neurologists prefer MRIs due to their high sensitivity for capturing changes in the brain’s complex tissue structure.
MRI scans and CT scans provide detailed pictures of the brain’s structure, and they can show whether parts of the brain have shrunk (atrophy), which is a common sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
PET scans can find areas of your brain where amyloid plaques have collected, which can be a sign of Alzheimer’s in some people. They can also highlight areas of the brain that aren’t using glucose normally, which can be a marker of Alzheimer’s.
Each scan has its unique strengths. MRI and CT are especially good for ruling out other potential causes of memory problems, which could include strokes or tumors. Routine MRIs can monitor your brain’s response to treatment, allowing your doctor to make any adjustments to improve your well being.
Functional scans like PET can help detect early changes in how the brain works, even before symptoms are severe.
What brain scans are commonly recommended for diagnosing Alzheimer’s?
The most commonly recommended scans for diagnosing Alzheimer’s are MRI and PET scans, and sometimes CT scans.
MRI scans are often preferred because they provide highly detailed images of the brain’s structure without exposing you to radiation. They can detect the loss of brain volume in regions like the hippocampus, which is one of the first areas affected by Alzheimer’s.
PET scans are also frequently used, especially when your provider wants to assess how the brain is functioning. A special type of PET scan called amyloid PET can detect abnormal buildup of amyloid plaques, which is a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease.
In some cases, CT scans might be used as a quicker and more accessible option, though they typically provide less detailed images than an MRI.
How does my healthcare provider decide which brain scan is best for me?
Your healthcare provider will recommend a scan based on your symptoms, your medical history, and what they hope to learn from the imaging.
If you’re in the early stages of memory problems, they might start with an MRI to get a detailed view of your brain’s structure. If Alzheimer’s is suspected but not confirmed, they might suggest a PET scan to check for abnormal brain activity or amyloid plaques.
They’ll also consider practical factors like your comfort and any medical conditions that could make one type of scan more suitable than another. For people who have metal implants, or severe claustrophobia, a PET or CT scan might be a better option than an MRI.
How do brain scans help to distinguish Alzheimer’s from other conditions with similar symptoms?
Brain scans are incredibly helpful for differentiating Alzheimer’s disease from other conditions that cause similar symptoms, like vascular dementia, or frontotemporal dementia.
By combining the results of brain scans with other medical tests, healthcare providers can make a more accurate diagnosis, and help ensure you get the right treatment tailored to your specific condition.
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How MRI scans can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease
MRI scans are a powerful tool for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease because they provide incredibly detailed images of the brain.
An MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create these highly detailed images, so your healthcare provider can closely examine the structure of your brain for any signs of change.
With this level of detail, MRI scans can detect subtle differences that might not be visible with other imaging methods, making them an important step in understanding your brain health.
What makes MRI scans particularly effective for detecting brain changes?
Your MRI results can reveal very small changes in the brain’s structure, like the loss of neurons, or damage to a specific region of your brain. The hippocampus, which plays a key role in memory, is often one of the first areas affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Unlike CT scans, which use radiation, MRI scans are a non-invasive way to examine the brain. They’re particularly effective at identifying brain atrophy, which is the gradual loss of brain cells and tissue.
An MRI’s level of detail can help healthcare providers detect early signs of Alzheimer’s and distinguish it from other conditions that might cause similar symptoms.
How does an MRI scan detect brain shrinkage or other signs of Alzheimer’s?
Over time, Alzheimer’s can cause parts of the brain, especially the hippocampus and surrounding areas, to lose volume. An MRI scan can measure these changes and show whether they fall outside the normal range for someone of your age.
In addition to shrinkage, MRI scans can reveal other structural abnormalities, like damage caused by small strokes. This helps your healthcare provider better understand the root cause of your symptoms, and rule out other conditions.
What are some practical considerations for patients undergoing MRI scans?
An MRI scan is safe, painless, and typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your circumstances and the scan your provider has ordered.
Before your scan, you’ll need to remove any metal objects like jewelry or watches, since metal can interfere with your MRI results. Let your healthcare provider know if you have any implants or devices in your body, as these might affect your eligibility for an MRI.
During the scan, you’ll lie still on a table that will move you into a large, doughnut-shaped machine. You will be able to speak with your MRI technologist during your scan, using an intercom, and they can see you and hear you the whole time.
How PET scans help to diagnose Alzheimer’s
A PET scan is a powerful diagnostic tool that goes beyond capturing images of your brain’s structure. Instead, it focuses on how your brain functions by highlighting patterns of activity and metabolism.
This makes PET scans particularly useful for identifying early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, as they can detect changes in how your brain is working even before significant structural changes occur.
How does a PET scan identify the signs of Alzheimer’s disease?
PET scans work by using a small amount of a radioactive substance, called a tracer, that highlights specific areas of the brain. This tracer allows the scan to measure things like glucose metabolism, which reflects how your brain cells are functioning.
In Alzheimer’s disease, certain regions of the brain, such as the parietal lobes and temporal lobes, show reduced glucose metabolism. These patterns can help healthcare providers identify whether the changes in your brain are consistent with Alzheimer’s.
Unlike CT or MRI scans, which focus on structure, PET scans reveal functional changes in the brain. This ability to visualize how the brain is working makes PET scans particularly valuable when other tests don’t provide a clear answer.
What are amyloid plaques? What does an amyloid PET scan do?
Amyloid plaques are clumps of protein that build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, and are one of the common features of the disease.
An amyloid PET scan uses a specialized tracer designed to bind to these plaques, making them visible on the scan, so your provider can clearly see whether amyloid buildup is happening in your brain.
Please keep in mind, the presence of amyloid plaques alone doesn’t confirm Alzheimer’s disease, as some people develop plaques without showing symptoms.
However, when combined with other tests and medical evaluations, amyloid PET scans can provide critical evidence to support or rule out a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. A PET scan is especially helpful in cases where symptoms are unclear or overlap with other conditions.
When are PET scans used alongside other diagnostic tools for evaluating Alzheimer’s?
PET scans are often used in combination with other imaging methods, like MRI or CT scans, to provide a more complete picture of your brain health.
While an MRI can show structural changes like brain shrinkage, a PET scan can reveal functional changes that occur earlier in the disease process. Together, these tools help healthcare providers identify Alzheimer’s disease at different stages, and distinguish it from other conditions with similar symptoms.
PET scans are also valuable when additional clarity is needed, such as in cases where cognitive symptoms don’t match typical patterns, or when other imaging methods are inconclusive.
How CT scans evaluate the signs of Alzheimer’s
A CT scan lets your healthcare provider see inside your brain, to look for the changes commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease, like brain shrinkage (atrophy) or enlarged ventricles.
While a CT scan doesn’t directly detect Alzheimer’s, in combination with other tests, it’s an important tool for understanding the bigger picture of your brain health.
What brain structures can a CT scan show?
CT scans are excellent at showing the overall structure of the brain, and can reveal if specific parts of the brain have shrunk, which is a potential sign of Alzheimer’s.
CT scans can also show the size and shape of the brain’s ventricles, which may become enlarged as brain tissue is lost.
Unlike some other imaging techniques, CT scans focus on structural changes rather than activity or metabolism, which makes them particularly useful for spotting physical abnormalities or injuries that could be contributing to cognitive symptoms.
When is a CT scan recommended for evaluating the signs of Alzheimer’s?
CT scans are often recommended when a quick and accessible option is needed to evaluate potential brain changes.
If you experience sudden or severe cognitive symptoms, your healthcare provider might suggest a CT scan to check for abnormalities like bleeding, strokes, or tumors. They may also recommend a CT scan if an MRI is not possible due to medical reasons, like if you have a pacemaker, or another metal implant.
While they may not provide the same level of detail as an MRI, they can still help identify significant structural changes that deserve further examination.
How do CT scans help rule out other causes of memory or cognitive issues?
One of the key roles of a CT scan in diagnosing Alzheimer’s is to rule out other potential causes of memory problems or cognitive decline.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease could also be caused by a stroke, a brain tumor, or head trauma, so a CT scan is helpful for ruling out other causes for your symptoms.
By eliminating these other possibilities, CT scans help narrow down the list of potential causes for your symptoms, which makes it easier for your healthcare provider to determine if you may need an MRI or a PET scan to check if your brain shows the signs of Alzheimer’s.
How to schedule an appointment with us
Our goal is to offer you and your healthcare provider the most informative results possible, and we make it easy for you to get an appointment.
With numerous locations across South Jersey, you’ll find us conveniently located near major highways and key bridges in the region.
We’ll ensure the entire scheduling process is as effortless as possible for you. Above all, we are here to help you.
Reach out to us at any of the following locations to book an appointment:
- Haddonfield Office – Haddonfield, NJ
- Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
- Medford Office – Medford, NJ
- Mount Laurel Office – Mount Laurel, NJ
- Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
- Route 73 (Voorhees) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
- Sewell (Washington Township) Office – Sewell, NJ
- Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
- Voorhees Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
- West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
- Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ
Learn more about the board-certified, subspecialized radiologists who read, analyze and interpret the findings here at South Jersey Radiology Associates.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most commonly used brain scans for diagnosing Alzheimer’s include MRI, PET, and less often, CT scans.
MRI scans provide detailed images of the brain’s structure and can detect brain shrinkage in areas like the hippocampus, which is often affected by Alzheimer’s.
PET scans reveal how the brain functions, showing patterns of activity, and identifying amyloid plaque buildup or areas with reduced glucose metabolism.
CT scans are often recommended for quick assessments or when MRI scans are not feasible, which can be due to medical conditions, or because a patient has a metal implant.
No, brain scans are used alongside other tests and evaluations to support or rule out a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Brain scans can differentiate Alzheimer’s from conditions, like strokes or frontotemporal dementia, by highlighting specific structural or functional brain changes.
Amyloid PET scans detect amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s, but their presence alone doesn’t confirm the disease without additional tests.
MRI scans are preferred because they provide highly detailed, radiation-free imaging, ideal for detecting subtle structural changes in the brain.