Qualitative investigation of structural changes of the brain with CT and MR imaging in normal aging and dementia

The authors studied 29 demented patients and 10 controls with MR imaging, CR, and F-18 deoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans. The authors compared the sensitivity of MR imaging and CT in the detection and grading of cortical atrophy, ventricular dilatation (VD), white matter disease (WMD), and periventribular hyperintensity (PVH). Identical incidences of VD and WMD were noted in both groups: PVH and gray matter disease (GMD) were seen more often in patients. The average cerebral metabolic rate (CMRglu) was significantly lower in patients and declined with the severity of GMD, WMD, and VD. Regional WMD did not affect the regional-global CMRglu ratio. CT and MR imaging were found to have equal sensitivity in the detection and grading of atrophy and VD; MR imaging was more sensitive in detecting WMD, PVH, and cortical GMD