It can be difficult to accurately diagnose what kind of dementia someone has, as the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Lewy Body disease and fronto-temporal dementia can overlap. The new Oxford study will use the scanning techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy. Ultimately this will mean better treatments possibilities for people with dementia.

Dr Clare Mackay, study leader at the University of Oxford, explained:
“We are developing a new test using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that we hope will help diagnose specific types of dementia. We believe the test could be useful in picking up the early stages of the condition.

“In the test, patients with dementia lie in a scanner. Images of their brain are taken while they’re ‘at rest’ and not thinking about anything in particular. We expect to find a specific pattern or picture of brain activity in each type of dementia that will be useful for diagnosis.”

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust said:
“We are delighted to be funding this important study. Accurate diagnosis means people can be given the correct treatments and support. Early diagnosis is also vital, as future treatments are much more likely to be effective in the early stages of disease. It also gives people with dementia and their families more time to prepare and plan for the future.

“There are over 6000 people living with dementia in Oxfordshire alone and this number is expected to double within a generation. We desperately need to fund research looking at different ways to tackle this devastating disease. We wish Dr Mackay and her team all the best with their work.”