title: Brain imaging in the differential diagnosis of young-onset dementias.
abstract: Young-onset dementia is a broad category of diseases that affect adults before the age of 65, with devastating effects on individuals and families. Neuroimaging plays a clear and ever-expanding role in the workup of these diseases. MRI demonstrates classic patterns of atrophy that help to confirm the clinical diagnosis and may predict the underlying disease. Functional nuclear imaging, such as PET, demonstrates areas of brain dysfunction even in the absence of visible atrophy. These techniques can inform important aspects of the care of young-onset dementia, such as the underlying pathologic condition, treatment, and prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Electronic address: hyungsubshim@gmail.com.
authors.forename: HyungSub
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ly
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tighe
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D001284:Atrophy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: Alzheimer disease; Frontotemporal dementia; MRI; PET; Parkinson-plus disorders; Young-onset dementia