Cerebral blood flow and metabolism in aging and dementia.

There are structural, perfusive, and metabolic changes that occur in normal aging and in dementia. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), changes in blood flow and metabolism occur primarily in the parietal and temporal cortices. These changes are distinct from those seen in normal aging. These alterations correspond to known neuronal changes that occur in AD and are consonant with changes that are seen in cognitive function. Characteristic patterns are also emerging in other forms of dementia such as Pick's disease, multi-infarct dementia, and primary progressive aphasia. Finally, there is some preliminary evidence that functional neuroimaging procedures may be useful in both the diagnosis and treatment strategies of dementia.