Prediction of individual clinical outcome in MCI by means of genetic assessment and 18F-FDG PET

Abstract

Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represent a risk population for progressing to dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). However, clinical criteria do not ensure reliable individual prognosis in these patients. The objective of this longitudinal, prospective study was to examine the value of 18F-FDG PET of cerebral glucose metabolism and of genetic susceptibility, as defined by an APOEε4-positive genotype, with regard to the early diagnosis of DAT in patients with MCI. Methods: In 30 patients with the diagnosis of MCI (16 female, 14 male; age, 70 ± 8 y), baseline and follow-up examinations (mean observation period, 16 mo) were performed. In all patients, the APOE genotype was asses..