Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: FDG PET in dementia: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: FDG PET in dementia

Sample item

FDG PET in a 68-year-old with progressive memory loss shows reduced uptake in both temporoparietal cortices and the posterior cingulate, with preserved sensorimotor cortex and basal ganglia. Which diagnosis fits?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease characteristically shows bilateral temporoparietal and posterior cingulate hypometabolism with sparing of the primary sensorimotor cortex, basal ganglia and cerebellum. Frontotemporal dementia affects frontal and anterior temporal regions, and Lewy body dementia adds occipital hypometabolism. Vascular dementia gives patchy defects.

Option by option

  • A. Frontotemporal dementia

    Frontotemporal dementia reduces uptake in frontal and anterior temporal lobes.

  • B. Vascular dementia

    Vascular dementia gives patchy, territorial defects.

  • C. Dementia with Lewy bodies

    Lewy body dementia typically adds occipital hypometabolism.

  • D. Alzheimer disease (correct)

    Correct. Temporoparietal and posterior cingulate hypometabolism is the typical pattern.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer disease characteristically shows bilateral temporoparietal and posterior cingulate hypometabolism with sparing of the primary sensorimotor cortex, basal ganglia and cerebellum.

Why is "Frontotemporal dementia" not the answer?

Frontotemporal dementia reduces uptake in frontal and anterior temporal lobes.

Why is "Vascular dementia" not the answer?

Vascular dementia gives patchy, territorial defects.

Why is "Dementia with Lewy bodies" not the answer?

Lewy body dementia typically adds occipital hypometabolism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: FDG PET in dementia in Radiology. Frontotemporal dementia affects frontal and anterior temporal regions, and Lewy body dementia adds occipital hypometabolism. Vascular dementia gives patchy defects.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: FDG PET in dementia?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.