Abstract
Alzheimers disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. The
histopathological changes of AD include amyloid β-protein (Aβ)
deposition, tau tangles, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Some
of the pathological changes could be shown in vivo by positron emission
tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers which
play a key role in diagnosing AD. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission
tomography (FDG-PET) can reflect and predict dysfunction. Aβ-PET was
sensitive for the diagnosis of early AD but cannot distinguish the
severity of AD. Tau-PET can compensate for the deficiency of Aβ-PET. Tau
tangles were positively correlated with the severity of AD, and also
associated with cognitive impairment. Probes targeting neuroinflammation
of AD have been developed, but further study is needed to validate its
effectiveness. Conventional MRI performs high tissue contrast that can
show structural changes and has been routinely applied in clinical
practice, such as evaluation of cerebral atrophy. Advanced MRI sequences
(such as DTI、ASL、MRS、BOLD and QSM) that can provide additional
information beyond structure that includes brain microstructure, blood
perfusion, metabolite concentration, brain activity, connections and
networks between brain regions, iron deposition, etc. The integrated PET
and MR may improve the diagnostic efficiency of AD.