Imaginem oblivionis: the prospects of neuroimaging for early detection of Alzheimer's disease

Functional neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) could prove to be valuable in the differential diagnosis of AD, as well as in assessing prognosis. With the advent of new therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the Aβ amyloid burden in the brain, there is increasing interest in the development of PET and SPECT radioligands that will permit the assessment of Aβ amyloid burden in vivo. From this, the prospect of specific preclinical diagnosis arises, possibly in conjuction with other related Aβ biomarkers in plasma and CSF.