Clinicopathological study for differential radiological diagnosis of dementia

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24791232
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Nagoya University (2013-2014); Juntendo University (2012)
• Principal Investigator: FUJISHIRO Hiroshige 名古屋大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 寄附講座講師 (20536924)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: DLB / AD / 早期診断 / レビー病理 / 神経原線維変化 / ブドウ糖代謝 / 神経画像 / レビー小体病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is extremely challenging to differentially diagnose dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) from Alzheimer's disease (AD) at predementia stages. Olfactory dysfunction, dysautonomia, and mood and sleep disorders were present in most DLB patients before the onset of memory loss. The presence of prodromal symptoms of Lewy body disease (LBD) or findings of occipital hypometabolism helps us to predict the possible pathophysiological process of LBD in non-demented patients. On the other hand, some hippocampal sparing AD patients exhibited atypical presentation rather than memory loss as initial symptom. Clinicopathological correlations including brain blood perfusion supported the previous findings. The diversity and the long-term nature of prodromal states of neurodegenerative dementing disorders were partially revealed. Further clinicopathological studies including radiological findings will be needed.

Free Research Field

老年精神医学