Multimodal imaging gives better detection of dementia, study shows

The second most common form of dementia can be detected more accurately if multimodal imaging is used, according to study findings announced at the American Academy of Neurology annual conference.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania told delegates at the event on March 16 that the method is accurate in 88% of cases.

This compares to 81% when diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is used and 72% when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are carried out.

Frontotemporal degeneration is the second most common type of dementia overall, and the most common in people aged under 60.

"We are moving forward on our biomarker work to optimise our ability to identify the specific cause of an individual's difficulties during life," said senior author Murray Grossman, professor of neurology and director of the Penn FTLD Center.

"We use a novel multi-modality approach involving behavioural, imaging and biofluid biomarker measures."

The 65th annual American Academy of Neurology meeting in San Diego, California, runs from March 16-23 - for more information visit www.aan.com/go/am13.