PET Scan of Brain Metabolism in Relation to Age and Disease

The main source of energy for the brain comes from a combination of oxygen and glucose (sugar). For brain cells to function normally they must receive a constant supply of these nutrients. As areas of the brain become more active blood flow into and out of these areas increase. In addition to oxygen and glucose, the brain uses chemical compounds known as phospholipids. These phospholipids make up the covering of nerve cells that assist in the transfer of information from cell to cell. Without phospholipids brain cell activity may become abnormal and cause problems in the nervous system. Certain diseases like Alzheimer's disease and brain tumors can affect blood flow to the brain and change the way the brain metabolizes phospholipids. In addition to diseases, changes in the brain occur with normal healthy aging. This study is designed to use PET scan to measure changes in blood flow and changes in phospholipid metabolism. Using this technique, researchers can improve their understanding of how certain diseases change the shape and function of the brain.

Sex

All

NORMAL VOLUNTEERS:

Age between 18 and 90 years.

No past or current medical condition that would interfere with brain function.

No history of alcoholism, psychiatric or neurological illness, head trauma with loss of consciousness, history of exposure to central nervous system toxin; history of central nervous system infection, metabolic, endocrine, connective tissue disease; hypertension or other cardiovascular disorder; abnormal renal, liver or pulmonary function; blood or coagulation disease; malignancy; psychopharmacological treatment; neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental disorder; stroke; epilepsy; subjects requiring regular medication, and subjects demonstrated by drug screening to have taken a controlled substance.

No occupational exposure to metal slivers or shavings.

No females who are pregnant or breast feeding.

PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER DISEASE:

Age between 18 and 90 years.

Diagnosis of possible or probably Alzheimer Disease according to NINCDS-ADRDA criteria.

Aside from Alzheimer Disease, no past or current medical condition that would interfere with brain function.

No history of alcoholism, psychiatric or neurological illness, head trauma with loss of consciousness, history of exposure to central nervous system toxin; history of central nervous system infection, metabolic, endocrine, connective tissue diseases; hypertension or other cardiovascular disorder; abnormal renal, liver or pulmonary function; blood or coagulation disease; malignancy; psychopharmacological treatment.

No females who are pregnant or breast feeding.

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