PET Scans and Brain Disorders

Alzheimer’s Disease

PET scans show a very consistent diagnostic pattern for Alzheimer’s disease, where certain regions of the brain have decreased metabolism early in the disease. In fact, this pattern often can be recognized several years before a physician is able to confirm the diagnosis and can also be used to differentiate Alzheimer’s from other confounding types of dementia or depression.

Parkinson Disease

PET images of the brain can accurately identify Parkinson’s Disease.

Epilepsy

PET images of the brain identify regions of reduced glucose metabolism, pinpointing the epileptogenic tissue. Surgical techniques are now available to successfully remove the tissue, leading to a definitive cure of the seizure disorder in 80% of affected children.