Study points to new diagnostic tool

Published: July 12, 2009 at 12:39 AM

VIENNA, July 12 (UPI) -- Mayo Clinic researchers plan to present a study on new techniques to diagnose dementia at a conference in Vienna, the clinic announced Saturday.

Researchers developed a framework for using an MRI to create a differential diagnosis of three common neurodegenerative disorders. They will present at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease July 11.

Their study created a framework for using a structural MRI to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration and Lewy body disease. This will be the first method to diagnose these three disorders in living patients, the researchers said.

"The next step would be to test the framework on a larger population to see if we can replicate these results and improve the accuracy level we achieved in this proof of concept study. In turn, this may lead to better treatment options for dementia patients," said Prashanthi Vemuri, the lead author of the study.

Vemuri is a senior research fellow in the aging and dementia imaging research lab at the Mayo Clinic.

© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
NFL: Cincinnati 17, Baltimore 7 (14 min)
NFL: Tampa Bay 38, Green Bay 28 (37 min)
NFL: Indianapolis 20, Houston 17 (59 min)
NFL: New England 27, Miami 17
Medical marijuana debate increases
Companies have cash but no confidence
NFL: Jacksonville 24, Kansas City 21
fark
American cities on verge of rat invasion
Remember that boy who fled chemotherapy due to his religious beliefs? He's now free of cancer. Thank...
Put down the beer and step away from the stove
Today's "Man steals car to get to his arraignment on car theft charges. " brought to you by California...
Man steals 72 cans of Red Bull, for that "running away from the cops" speed
"Snood" to be hot new fashion accesory this Christmas. The skort called; said it was thankful that...