Adapted from the University of California, Los Angeles PET brain
scans reveal plaque and tangle accumulation in patients with the
APOE-4 gene, which increases risk of Alzheimer's. University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA) scientists have used innovative
brain-scan technology developed at UCLA, along with patient-
specific information on Alzheimer's disease risk, to help
diagnose brain aging, often before symptoms appear. Published in
the January issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, their study
may offer a more accurate method for tracking brain aging.
Researchers used positron emission tomography (PET), which
allows "a window into the brain" of living people and
specifically reveals plaques and tangles, the hallmarks of
Alzheimer's. The PET scans were complemented by information on
patients' age, cognitive status and a genetic profile.
"Combining key patient information with a brain scan may give us
better predictive power in targeting those who may benefit from
early interventions, as well as help test