Our Services

Evaluations and Examinations Conducted Within the Scope of the Project

Patients presenting with cognitive complaints, diagnosed clinically with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and considered prodromal Alzheimer's patients undergo detailed clinical examinations by our neurologist researchers. If included in the project, the following evaluations and laboratory examinations are conducted within the scope of the TÜSEB project:

  • Neuropsychological tests (conducted by a clinical psychologist)
  • Apolipoprotein E genotyping (performed in the Medical Genetics Department from blood samples)
  • Plasma biomarkers (amyloid beta 40, 42, and ptau181) (analyzed in the Medical Biochemistry Department from blood samples)
  • Brain FDG and amyloid PET/MR imaging (conducted on separate days in the Nuclear Medicine Department)

 

Routine Examinations Conducted by the Nuclear Medicine Department for the Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Outside the scope of the TÜSEB project, the following diagnostic examinations are routinely performed by the Nuclear Medicine Department if requested by a neurologist. The Department of Nuclear Medicine at Gazi University Medical Faculty is the most experienced center in Turkey for the early and differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases.

  • Brain FDG PET/MR Imaging: The first PET/CT imaging service in Turkey was initiated at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Gazi University Medical Faculty, in 2004. Brain FDG PET imaging service has been provided for the diagnosis of neurological diseases such as dementia and epilepsy, making our center a pioneer in this field with extensive clinical experience. In 2015, the first 3 Tesla hybrid PET/MR system in Turkey began service at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Gazi University Medical Faculty. PET/MR is used for brain PET imaging when there are no contraindications to MR imaging. In cases where MR imaging cannot be performed, PET/CT is used for brain PET imaging. The superiority of PET/MR imaging in neurological diseases lies in its high PET image quality and the accurate quantitative analysis of PET images with the assistance of MR images.

  • Brain Amyloid PET/MR Imaging: The first clinical brain amyloid PET study in Turkey (within the scope of the scientific research project "Investigation of Small Vessel Disease and Functional Effects in Alzheimer's Disease using Functional Imaging Methods") was completed using F-18 Flutemetamol at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Gazi University Medical Faculty. Today, we provide brain amyloid PET/MR imaging both within the scope of our TÜSEB project and as a routine patient imaging service. Our center is the most experienced in this field in Turkey, and we calculate the brain amyloid load quantitatively according to international standards using the "Centiloid" score and perform detailed regional analyses of PET images with z-scores.

  • DAT SPECT: The first dopamine transporter (DAT) SPECT imaging in Turkey was performed at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Gazi University Medical Faculty, within the scope of the multi-center scientific research project "European Normal Control Database of DaTSCAN (ENC-DAT)". Since the completion of this project in 2013, DAT SPECT imaging has been continuously performed at our center. DAT SPECT imaging enables the visualization of a molecular target (DAT) located in a specific region of the brain (basal ganglia), contributing to the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative parkinsonism and the differential diagnosis from non-neurodegenerative causes of parkinsonism in patients with movement disorders. Quantitative analysis studies, which play an important role in the evaluation of DAT SPECT images, are also conducted at our center using our normal DAT SPECT database. Our work on quantitative analysis and AI-assisted reporting in this field continues.

  • MIBG SPECT: I-123 MIBG (Metaiodobenzylguanidine) SPECT shows the function and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) reuptake of the sympathetic nervous system in the heart. This allows the evaluation of the functionality and integrity of the sympathetic nerves in the heart. It is a recommended diagnostic tool in clinical guidelines for the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. Additionally, it can be used to distinguish Parkinson's disease from other atypical parkinsonism types, such as Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

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