State-of-the-Art Structural & Functional Imaging of Alzheimer's Disease
Tammie L.S. Benzinger1
1Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States

Synopsis

In this program, we will review the critical role MRI plays in the the workup of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), our understanding of the asymptomatic phases of disease progression, and the importance of an integrated spatial and temporal assessment of brain pathology with MRI and PET. We will discuss current and future clinical applications and clinical trials for AD.

Combined molecular, structural and functional neuroimaging has revolutionized the field of Alzheimer disease research. Since the advent of amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) in the early 2000s, and more recently, with the advent of tau PET, we are now able to develop topographical timelines of disease pathology. Advanced MRI approaches, including functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and arterial spin labelling provide critical insights into disease progression. Importantly, as we move from observational studies into clinical trials, MRI offers important safety information for participants at risk from Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormality (ARIA) when exposed to monoclonal antibody therapy. Finally, MRI will likely have a very important role for patient screening, safety, and as a surrogate marker of efficicacy as disease modifying therapies become available.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to our many study participants around the world who have contributed to this science.

References

No reference found.
Proc. Intl. Soc. Mag. Reson. Med. 29 (2021)