Brain Imaging
We can look at PET-CT images of the brain to detect signs of dementia as well as other diseases or injuries to the brain. We use a variety of different tracers on our PET-CT scans to help you get the most accurate imaging results.
Here are the different tracers that we use.
Available Brain Imaging Tracers
β-Amyloid Tracers
Amyloid targeting tracers are newly developed tracers to diagnose Alzheimer's in addition to the 18F-FDG tracer. They are designed to reveal the presence or absence of β-amyloid plaque.
FDG Tracer
FDG stands for F‑18 deoxyglucose and is a glucose molecule labeled with radioactive fluorine. FDG brain PET CTs are being used to diagnose Alzheimer’s and other causes of dementia with high sensitivity and specificity.
Detecting Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s is a common cause for dementia. Patients are often misdiagnosed for years, meaning that effective treatment is delayed for too long. PET/CT is an excellent tool for the diagnosis and detection of Alzheimer’s, even at very early stages.
The disease can be identified or excluded using one of 2 tracers: either by looking at the pattern of brain metabolism using 18F-FDG, or by looking at the density of beta-amyloid neuritic plaque in the brain with 18F-Florbetaben (called Neuraceq).
If you are concerned that you may have Alzheimer's or another type of dementia, it is highly recommended that you get a diagnosis that is backed up by specific biological evidence. The UCLA Brain Wellness Center specializes precisely in answering this kind of diagnostic question.
For more information, see Brain PET Scans with Expert Interpretation & Quantification
Are you experiencing any of these early warning signs of Alzheimer's Disease?
Memory loss that is disruptive in daily life
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work, or during leisure activities
Confusion with time or place
Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships
New problems with words in speaking or writing
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Decreased or poor judgment
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Changes in mood and personality
For more information on Alzheimer's and the 10 signs go to the Alzheimer's Association
For steps and stages for coping with these symptoms, please visit Caring.com
Post-chemo neurological damage:
Chemotherapies can lead to various neurological symptoms. A variety of nuclear imaging studies have shown that people exposed to chemotherapy may have impaired brain function in certain regions compared to others who have not been exposed.
PET/CT scans can diagnose neurological damage caused by chemotherapy treatments.
What can be done?
Determining level of brain function before cancer treatment begins can help to determine cause and effect.
This “chemo fog” can also be reduced by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and engaging yourself mentally, socially, and intellectually.
How a PET-CT of the brain works
A PET-CT of the brain takes 20 minutes, plus 30-60 minutes of preparation time.
We will inject you with a small dose of the radioactive tracer substance, specially ordered for you.
The examination is then carried out lying down in the examination tube.
It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids after the examination in order to speed up the elimination of the tracer.
Please let us know if you suffer from claustrophobia, and check our our tips if you do have claustrophobia.
If you need to cancel:
If you need to cancel your appointment, please inform us of this no later than 12 noon on the preceding day, otherwise we will have to charge a cancellation fee.
Also, if we can’t reach you to confirm the appointment 48 hours before your exam, we will have to reschedule you. You can, of course, feel free to call us if you are not reachable.
Important Information
Please call us if you are not sure if your scan (or tracer) will get reimbursed by your health insurance.
Please bring reports and pictures from preliminary examinations with you.
In case you receive a brain PET with FDG, it is absolutely essential that you come to the examination sober! Additionally, If you have eaten within 4 hours before the scan, we will unfortunately have to reschedule your exam.
Drink plenty of water one hour before the examination.
Pregnancy must be ruled out.
If you are breastfeeding your child, please make us aware of this at the time when the appointment is made. This will allow us to discuss the next steps with you.
On the day of the examination, contact with pregnant women or young children should be avoided.