New MRI Helps Dementia Diagnosis
 

(Psych Central News) http://psychcentral.com/news/u/2009/...adiagnosis.jpgA new study may help physicians differentially diagnose three common neurodegenerative disorders in the future. In this study, Mayo Clinic researchers developed a framework for MRI-based differential diagnosis of three common neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and Lewy body disease ... ...


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From Psych Central News.

Long story short: I've been care-giving for someone who is suspected (by three physicians and a neurologist -- also a physician, it would seem :winky:) of having FTD, a.k.a., Pick's Disease.

In all of my searching for info. that may provide insight re: testing that may offer a more definitive answer, the only sources I could find all tend to reference having to wait for an autopsy. Not very promising to see that blaring.

This is the first article that says a MRI may be helpful. With the advance it Dx'ing since 2009, maybe there is more hopeful info., as well, that I've just not come across, yet.

However the Newsbot works: Great! I feel enlightened, especially since I've taken the person for ER attention (when totally disoriented) and never hope to ride in the front of an ambulance again or spend another holiday at ER. A CT was done. And, more recent, a MRI.

I'm most accustomed to looking at CTs, MRIs, X-rays re: the spine, so I don't know exactly what it is that doctors see within the imaging, but it's definitely brain atrophy or degeneration, as they've said.

My heart goes out to everyone who is living through the maze of dementia... and, in whatever form it manifests itself. Not easy to watch another person go through so much, possibly understanding something isn't quite right but not understanding exactly what it is or all that it entails.

:grouphug:

Yes, I am glad to see this MRI. I am currently waiting the results of an MRI for my 24 year old daughter. It appeared she had a stroke last Thurs, but after rushing her to ER it was found on an abnormal CT Scan that she had diffuse atrophy. I had never heard those words before. She and I went to a neurologist the next day and are awaiting results to see what is going on.

Are we getting closer.
 

I am still waiting for a confirmed diagnosis for neurological disorder, had MRI, DaT and PET scans over a year ago. It is suspected I have Parkinson's with Lewey Body's.

I don't want to be negative as any research that can get us closer to a definitive test is most welcome. Neurologists however are somewhat reluctant to trust the new scans (mine included) and still want to wait for those physicallly obvious indicators. Meanwhile time passes keeping me in limbo.

LiveAgain please pass my best wishes on to your daughter and my prayers are with her. Good Luck but be prepared to be patient.

Hard Road
 

Before I became ill myself I was a support worker in the community and one of my cases was a gentleman with FTD. The individual is very fortunate to have someone like you to supply that safety net. It's one hard road that both of you tread. All we can do is make that journey as pleasant as possible and ask for help when things start to get too much.

I can remember attending a training day and being told that there were at least 102 forms of dementia and she suspected manymany more. You hit the nail on the head when you said that it was a maze, one that has an elusive exit.

To all those out there supporting those with dementia I take my hat off to you.:highfive: