SPECT in Dementia

Book excerpt: Single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) is a relatively cheap and widely available instrument for the examination of brain perfusion, cerebral blood flow and activity of neurotransmitter systems. The European project 'SPECT in dementia' sets out to overcome some of the factors holding back the development of clinical neuroimaging. It has developed a methodology for combining results from different imaging centres, at the same time making scan assessment more objective and powerful. Moreover, using objective voxel-based methods of image analysis improves the diagnostic performance of less-experienced clinicians and contributes to their training. This publication gives an excellent general overview of the new methods of image analysis and sharing. It is complemented by a systematic review of the diagnostic utility of SPECT in dementia and a cost-effectiveness model of diagnostic improvements in Alzheimers disease. This book is essential reading for all scientists, economists and clinicians in geriatric medicine, neurology and psychiatry, neuro-radiology and nuclear medicine working with patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease, who want to stay ahead in this rapid developing field.