PET Imaging in Alzheimer Disease: Diagnostic and Prognostic Applications
6 affiliations
- 1Biochemistry Department, United Medical and Dental college, Jinnah University, Pakistan
- 2Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Affiliation, Al-Maarefa University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Country, Saudia
- 3Jinnah University Pakistan
- 4Computer Science Department, Bahria College, Bahria University. Pakistan
- 5Commerce Department, Ziauddin University, Pakistan
- 6Computer Science Department, Iqra University, Pakistan
Abstract
Alzheimer Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-β deposition, tau pathology, synaptic dysfunction, neuronal injury and cerebral atrophy. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has transformed AD evaluation by enabling in-vivo visualization of molecular and metabolic abnormalities. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET evaluates cerebral glucose metabolism, amyloid PET identifies fibrillar amyloid-β and tau PET provides information about neurofibrillary pathology. This review examines diagnostic and prognostic applications of PET in AD, particularly in mild cognitive impairment, atypical dementia, differential diagnosis, disease staging, progression prediction and treatment selection. Evidence indicates that amyloid PET is highly useful for establishing amyloid pathology, whereas tau PET is more closely associated with disease stage and clinical severity. FDG PET remains valuable for identifying patterns of neurodegeneration and distinguishing AD from other dementias. With the emergence of disease-modifying anti-amyloid therapies, molecular confirmation has become increasingly relevant to treatment decisions. Important limitations include cost, availability, radiation exposure, tracer-specific limitations, mixed pathology and interpretation variability. Future integration of PET with MRI, blood biomarkers and artificial intelligence may improve individualized diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic monitoring.
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BibTeX
@article{khatoon2026imaging,
title = {{PET Imaging in Alzheimer Disease: Diagnostic and Prognostic Applications}},
author = {Fahmida Khatoon and Yassir Musa and Zahid Balouch and Syeda Misba Maqsood and Komal Yousuf and Muzammil Aftab},
journal = {International Journal of Clinical and Medical Research},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.66590/ijcmr2026030107},
url = {https://doi.org/10.66590/ijcmr2026030107},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - PET Imaging in Alzheimer Disease: Diagnostic and Prognostic Applications
AU - Fahmida Khatoon
AU - Yassir Musa
AU - Zahid Balouch
AU - Syeda Misba Maqsood
AU - Komal Yousuf
AU - Muzammil Aftab
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/01
JO - International Journal of Clinical and Medical Research
DO - 10.66590/ijcmr2026030107
UR - https://doi.org/10.66590/ijcmr2026030107
AB - Alzheimer Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-β deposition, tau pathology, synaptic dysfunction, neuronal injury and cerebral atrophy. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has transformed AD evaluation by enabling in-vivo visualization of molecular and metabolic abnormalities. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET evaluates cerebral glucose metabolism, amyloid PET identifies fibrillar amyloid-β and tau PET provides information about neurofibrillary pathology. This review examines diagnostic and prognostic applications of PET in AD, particularly in mild cognitive impairment, atypical dementia, differential diagnosis, disease staging, progression prediction and treatment selection. Evidence indicates that amyloid PET is highly useful for establishing amyloid pathology, whereas tau PET is more closely associated with disease stage and clinical severity. FDG PET remains valuable for identifying patterns of neurodegeneration and distinguishing AD from other dementias. With the emergence of disease-modifying anti-amyloid therapies, molecular confirmation has become increasingly relevant to treatment decisions. Important limitations include cost, availability, radiation exposure, tracer-specific limitations, mixed pathology and interpretation variability. Future integration of PET with MRI, blood biomarkers and artificial intelligence may improve individualized diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic monitoring.
SN - 3134-8831
ER -