Dementia

Abstract

This unit presents specific protocols intended to maximize the contribution of MRI to the clinical evaluation of dementia. Each protocol has, as its foundation, a whole‐brain screen designed to evaluate for treatable causes of dementia. Reflecting the frequent overlap of vascular disease with dementing illness, the screening protocol also serves as an optimal evaluation of the patient with suspected vascular dementia. Additional sequences or modifications are then used to answer specific clinical questions. The parameters given here are derived from experience at 1.5 T and may need to be altered slightly depending on the field strength and the equipment manufacturer.