[New perspectives on Alzheimer's disease from neuroimaging]

Abstract

Introduction and development: Over the next 50 years, the proportion of the population over the age of 65 will increase dramatically, and the number of individuals with neurodegenerative dementias such as Alzheimer's disease will rise, as well. Current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies have focused on the symptomatic phases of Alzheimer's disease, but with the ability to identify the disease earlier in its clinical course comes an increased under-standing of the factors that alter the risk of expressing the clinical syndrome.

Conclusions: Neuroimaging studies are now revealing that many of the conditions that normally afflict individuals as they become older also have effects on the structural integrity of the brain. Successful management of these conditions, especially if combined with other therapeutic interventions, could extend the dementia-free time and decrease the burden to the patient, family, and to society.