Affiliations: Mount Sinai Medical Center, Wien Center, Miami Beach,
FL, USA | Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Miami, Miami, FL, USA | Departments of Medicine, University of Miami,
Neurology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miller School of Medicine,
University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA | Department of Radiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center,
Miami Beach, FL, USA | Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer's Center &
Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA | Department of Neurology, University of South Florida,
Tampa, FL, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Ranjan Duara, M.D., Wien Center for
Alzheimer's Disease & Memory Disorders, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300
Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA. Fax: +1 305 674 2996; E-mail:
Ranjan-duara@msmc.com
Abstract: Dementia is a debilitating and life-altering disease which leads to
both memory impairment and decline of normal executive functioning. While
causes of dementia are numerous and varied, the leading cause among patients 60
years and older is Alzheimer's disease. The gold standard for Alzheimer's
diagnosis remains histological identification of amyloid plaques and
neurofibrillary tangles within the medial temporal lobe, more specifically the
entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. Although no definitive cure for Alzheimer's
disease currently exists, there are treatments targeted at preserving cognition
and memory while delaying continued loss of function. Alzheimer's disease
exists along a spectrum of cognitive decline and is often preceded by Mild
Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Patients with MCI demonstrate memory loss and
cognitive impairment while still continuing normal activities of daily living,
and are considered to be at increased risk for developing Alzheimer's Dementia.
Identifying patients with prodromal states of Alzheimer's dementia such as MCI
may allow initiation of appropriate treatment planning and delay of cognitive
decline. Therefore, the need for a non-invasive early biomarker for the
detection of Alzheimer's disease has never been greater. Multiple neuroimaging
methods utilizing visual rating scales, volumetric measurements, and automated
methods have been developed to identify, quantify, and track anatomic sequelae
of Alzheimer's Disease.
