Molecular Imaging of Dementia With Lewy Bodies

Oliver Cousins, Tayyabah Yousaf, Heather Wilson, Gennaro Pagano, Marios Politis*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia. The core clinical features of DLB include fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, and parkinsonism. Molecular imaging is a powerful tool to assess the brain function in vivo. In this chapter, we reviewed the positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and [123I]-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy studies evaluating the pathological processes underlying DLB, including altered brain metabolism and neurotransmitter pathways, abnormal protein aggregation, and neuroinflammation. These techniques can aid in the differential diagnosis of DLB (versus Alzheimer's disease and related dementia) and in the monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy of disease-modifying drugs. Furthermore, we explored the limitations of current imaging biomarkers and future directions, particularly focusing on the vital need for tracers that have high affinity for alpha-synuclein.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Review of Neurobiology
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages59-93
Number of pages35
Volume144
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Publication series

NameInternational Review of Neurobiology
PublisherACADEMIC PRESS INC
ISSN (Print)0074-7742

Keywords

  • Dementia with Lewy bodies
  • Lewy body
  • Molecular imaging
  • Neuroimaging
  • Parkinson's disease dementia
  • PET
  • SPECT

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