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The results of imaging studies using computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon (SP) scanning in ageing and Alzheimer's disease are reviewed. CT and MRI reveal a generalized cortical atrophic process which increases with age. The atrophic process is more severe in Alzheimer's disease but it cannot be used as a diagnostic method since it does not occur in every case. PET scans in Alzheimer's disease reveal decreased regional metabolism for glucose and oxygen and decreased blood flow in cortical areas, possibly reflecting a regional onset and development of the disease. Frontal, temporal and parietal areas are the most likely to be affected, and the changes are not predictable on the basis of the CT or MRI scans. It is not certain whether cortical metabolism also decreases with ageing. SP scans reveal decreased cerebral blood flow with ageing and a further decrease in dementia.
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Patrick L. McGeer (1986) studied this question.
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