If you or a loved one is experiencing early signs of dementia or cognitive impairment, specialized brain imaging used at Sarasota Memorial Hospital can help detect different types of dementia and lead to more targeted treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s dementia and other causes of cognitive decline. Sarasota Memorial’s radiology and neurology teams use nuclear imaging and advanced diagnostic tools, including the latest DaTscan and PET scans, to detect subtle changes in brain function that help doctors zero in on specific markers for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s dementia and other causes of cognitive impairment, which may not be visible on traditional MRI or CT scans. DaTscan, which has long been used to help diagnose Parkinson’s disease, can be used to diagnose Parkinson’s-related dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, while PET scans can be used to detect the earliest markers for Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of cognitive decline. Determining the specific type of dementia early in the diagnostic process can lead to more targeted treatments and better outcomes.