Diagnosing Alzheimer's Earlier - Inside Science

Reported May 2006

BACKGROUND: A novel-imaging agent has the potential to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in living patients by binding to the telltale beta-amyloid deposits in the brains of those who suffer from it. Pittsburgh Compound-B, or PIB, is the contrast agent used in conjunction with PET scans. This non-invasive technique can give researchers information never before available about how and where the disease progresses in the brain, as well as the efficacy of treatment.

WHAT THEY'VE FOUND: The pattern of PIB retention in the brain reveals amyloid plaques formed by Alzheimers appears first in the frontal cortex areas, then progresses to the parietal and temporal cortex before ravaging the occipital and sensory-motor cortex. This may explain why memory and judgment are often the brain functions first affected with the onset of the disease.

ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S: Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a brain disorder that primarily affects the elderly. Scientists still aren't sure what causes the disease and there is no cure. It is named after a German doctor, Alois Alzheimer, who in 1906 noticed anomalies in the brain tissue of a woman who died of a strange mental illness. There were abnormal clumps called amyloid plaques and tangled bundles of fibers, both of which are the most common signs of Alzheimer's. Other brain changes can occur. Nerve cells die in areas of the brain vital to memory and other mental abilities, and the connections between nerve cells are disrupted, impairing thinking and memory.

SYMPTOMS: Alzheimer's is a slow-moving disease that in its earliest stages may merely appear to be mild forgetfulness and could be confused with age-related memory change. There may be problems remembering recent events or activities, or the names of familiar people or objects. As the disease progresses, the forgetfulness becomes more severe, interfering with daily activities, such as brushing one's teeth. There are problems speaking, understanding, reading or writing, and eventually the brain damage becomes so severe the patient requires 24-hour care.

If you would like more information, please contact:

William Klunk, Ph.D.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 647-8762
(800) 533-8762
upmcweb@upmc.edu National Institute on Aging
http://www.alzheimers.org

DID YOU KNOW...

As many as 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease. While only about 5 percent of men and women ages 65 to 74 have the disease, nearly half of those 85 or older may have it.