PET results
I’d love input on my DH PET results.
My DH is 53 and we’ve been trying to figure out what is going on with him for more than a year. We finally got an appt at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville last month, which was great. The doc had him do an MRI, ECG, EEG, extensive blood panels, and a PET MRI. I haven’t been able to get a follow up appt scheduled with the doctor yet - so frustrating.
in the meantime, my husband’s PET results are below. In going down the Google rabbit hole, it seems like this is likely EOAD based on the parts of the brain with hypometabolism. Based on your experience, what do you guys think?
INDICATION: Dementia, nonvascular etiology suspected. AD versus FTD.
FINDINGS: There is symmetric mild relative hypometabolism involving bilateral parietal lobes superiorly including the precuneus as well as medial temporal lobes. Cortical metabolism is otherwise well-maintained.
Comments
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Welcome to the forum, though sorry you needed to find us. I don't think it tells you a lot other than confirming early onset dementia of some sort. I don't think the findings are specific enough to distinguish between AD and FTD....but I could be wrong. Was there an "Impression" from the radiologist in addition to the findings? That may tell you more what the radiologist's interpretation is.
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The PET scan is only one bit of data for making the diagnosis of AD and should be interpreted by someone who has access to other data, especially neurocognitive testing.
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Hypometabolism means the brain is absorbing less than normal energy it needs to function. My DW also had this finding as a supporting part of her EOAD diagnosis. There were multiple other factors mainly starting with neuropsych battery of tests - the kind that takes 3-4 hours to administer, with subpar scores on multiple components that led to imaging. The more obvious finding in our case was very definitive brain MRI showing widespread losses, quantized scoring at 2% (only 2% of 'normal' population would have this result).
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I agree with Marta.
Isn't the "indication," the reason the test was done?
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Thank you. Here is the impression: Symmetric mild hypometabolism involving superior parietal lobes bilaterally including the precuneus as well as medial temporal lobes.
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Thank you. He had neuropsych tests done last May that did not point to dementia, though they are being done again this May.
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Thank you. His MRI impression is: Essentially unremarkable MRI of the brain.
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I thought indication was more like what the radiologist thinks based on the imaging, but maybe I am wrong. This is all new to me for sure.
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Pretty nonspecific. It’s not a normal PET scan but is likely not going to differentiate between Alzheimers and FTD. It sounds like the tracer (the chemical administered) was glucose and not specific to amyloid-that is what would potentially have differentiated the two. Insurance doesn’t often cover the latter unfortunately.
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I think what the radiologist thinks is the "impression."
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"Indication" is the reason for the test performed
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From what we've been told, the hypometabolism involving superior parietal lobes bilaterally including the precuneus as well as medial temporal lobes would be more of an indication of ALZ. FTD usually shows hypometabolism in the frontal temporal lobes, and does not initially start in the parietal lobes.
Someone please correct me if this is not correct
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If the neurocognitive testing did not point to dementia, what did it point to? Has he had an overnight sleep study in a sleep lab for sleep apnea?
Iris
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The results didn’t really point to anything because they were only “off” a bit in a couple of places. He is having them redone tomorrow actually, so we’ll see what happens.
We are in the process of getting a sleep study scheduled too.
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You are in the uncomfortable position of not having a definite diagnosis. The diagnosis of the dementias is a rule out diagnosis, meaning ruling out all possible medical causes of memory loss. If the extensive testing results are unremarkable, this leaves a dementia as the diagnosis. People tend to rely on an imaging study to be definitive, and to point the way. But this is usually not the case. People don't want to make plans until they are definitely sure. While you are in this period, take the steps to manage legal and financial affairs. Think about if you will want to move or remain where you live now. Think about driving and other safety issues. If you have a bucket list, think about that now.
Iris
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My DH has not had a PET but many other tests including spinal tap. He is currently diagnosed with MCI. He is presenting atypical for both AD and FTD which they feel he is one or the other. At this point it’s just time before we know. DH is 60. He is still working but likely not to much longer. We have another neuropsychological evaluation mid April. This is the main test they will be doing to gage decline.
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Commonly Used Abbreviations
DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
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