A positron emission tomography analysis of glucose metabolism in Alzheimer's disease brain using [F-18] fluorodeoxyglucose: A parallel study with elemental concentrations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) isa debilitating form of dementia which leads to i mpaired memory, thinking and behavior. This work examines elemental concent rations between "normal" and AD subjects as well as the hemispherical diffe rences within the brain. Tissue samples from both hemispheres of the fronta l lobe in both AD and normal subjects were examined for their trace element concentrations using PIXE and RES analyses. Elemental concentrations were seen to differ between AD and normal brain tissue samples. While in the nor mal group concentrations were found to be significantly higher in the right hemisphere than in the left the converse was true in AD. A change in eleme ntal concentrations may indicate possible alterations in the function of th e blood brain barrier. This was examined by determining regional cerebral m etabolic rates of glucose (rCMRGlu) using the in vivo technique of positron emission tomography (PET). Again variations between both hemispheres and b etween AD and normal were found.