SARASOTA, Fla. (June 19, 2025) – 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.
“Standard scans show brain structure, but these newer tests reveal how the brain is actually functioning,” said SMH radiologist Richard Lichtenstein, MD. “That gives us critical insight into conditions that might otherwise be missed until much later. These tools allow us to act earlier, which can dramatically improve a patient’s quality of life—and that of their family.”
DaTscan, (short for Dopamine Transporter Scan), uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to measure dopamine activity in the brain. The scan, which is covered by most insurance, has long been used to differentiate Parkinson’s disease from essential tremors, and in recent years to diagnose dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and rule out Alzheimer’s disease.
PET scans (short for Positron Emission Tomography), has been used for years to diagnose heart disease, cancer and brain disorders. In recent years, PET scans have become an important tool to help detect the presence of amyloid plaques – a hallmark of Alzheimer's – and other metabolic changes associated with the disease.
“These tests can be extremely important in the early and middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Lichtenstein said. “Identifying Alzheimer’s early can help patients qualify for newer FDA-approved treatments, including monoclonal antibody therapies, that have been shown to slow, stabilize or even improve cognitive symptoms in some patients,” Dr. Lichtenstein said.
If you or a loved one is experiencing memory loss or concerned about early signs of cognitive impairment, talk to your doctor or call Sarasota Memorial’s Memory Disorder Clinic for guidance. The Memory Disorder Clinic provides free memory screenings and comprehensive evaluations, including referrals for the latest brain imaging diagnostics. Services are covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. Click here to learn more.
For more information about diagnosing and treating dementia, visit smh.com/podcast for information you can trust.
Preventing, Diagnosing and Treating Dementia | HealthCasts Season 7, Episode 11
Brain Scans for People with Dementia | HealthCasts Season 7, Episode 12
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 2 million patient visits a year across its network of care. Sarasota County’s largest employer, the community-owned health system includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice, freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a rehabilitation hospital, behavioral health hospital, skilled nursing facility and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices. Founded in 1925, SMH is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025 and encouraging community members to visit smh.com/100 throughout the year for centennial events and updates.