Dr. Saima Muzahir, Tennessee Interventional and Imaging Associates; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical SocietyQ: My husband is getting forgetful and his doctor is concerned about dementia. The doctor wants to have a PET brain scan. How is the brain PET-CT going to help?
A: The diagnosis of dementia can be challenging, especially in the early stages of disease. Patients with higher education levels may experience a marked decline in cognitive function before their dementia is detectable with routine testing methods. Conditions such as depression and certain medications can also confound the clinical assessment. While Alzheimer’s is the most-common form of dementia in the elderly, it is important to accurately distinguish between the various disorders because appropriate treatment depends on specific diagnosis. A PET-CT is a highly useful imaging technique for the diagnosis of dementia.
– Dr. Saima Muzahir, Tennessee Interventional and Imaging Associates; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society
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