Alzheimer Disease Plaques Seen with Conventional MRI

For the first time, scientists have captured images of brain lesions similar to those found in Alzheimer's disease using clinical-grade MRI in an animal model of the disease, according to research reported at the Alzheimer's Association's 2008 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD 2008), in Chicago. MRI technology is more widely distributed and relatively less expensive than other imaging technologies. In addition, it doesn't expose people to radiation, as do the "high energy" imaging approaches.

Definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer's currently happens at autopsy by demonstrating the presence of characteristic brain lesions, including amyloid plaques. The ability to non-invasively show amyloid plaque levels in living people could markedly improve the diagnosis and treatment of people with Alzheimer's.