International Psychogeriatrics
Volume 15, Supplement 1 - 2003
Guidelines for Brain Imaging in Vascular Dementia Clinical Trials FREDERIK BARKHOF
ABSTRACT. Imaging should be included in the workup of dementia patients and is mandatory for the
diagnosis of vascular dementia (VaD). MRI is the preferred imaging modality and should include
axial T2 and FLAIR, preferably accompanied by a 3D T1-weighted sequence in clinical trials to
determine white-matter lesions, infarcts, lacunes, and atrophy. Gradient echo images are needed
for microbleeds. Diagnostic criteria should be operationalized and validated visual rating
scales are available. In clinical trials, standardized acquisition protocols and central data
analysis are mandatory. More work is needed to determine the natural progression in VaD and the
possible use of MRI-based outcome measures.
