Neuroscintigraphy for dementia includes brain perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) [hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime or ethyl cysteinate dimer] and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET), which are the two most common functional imaging procedures for the brain. The two procedures detect the physiological blood flow and metabolic glucose uptake in the brain, respectively. These functional scans are invaluable in early diagnosis, as well as for confirmation in difficult clinical cases of dementia. Various types of dementia show specific scintigraphic patterns and, together with clinical correlation and anatomical imaging correlation, accurate clinicoradiological diagnosis can often be achieved. Advanced software such as Talairach analysis further improves the sensitivity of brain SPECT by showing a 3-dimensional surface display of the perfusion pattern. Additional brain scintigraphy-including cerebral amyloid PET, cerebral dopaminergic PET, and indium-111 cisternogram-are sometimes indicated for special reasons such as atypical clinical presentation or equivocal imaging findings. Finally, frequent clinicoradiological conference helps mutual improvement in clinical utilisation as well as the specificity of neuroimaging.

Dementia is an increasingly prevalent disease of the ageing population. Although Alzheimer's disease is still the most common cause of dementia, there is emerging clinical interest in other, less common, causes of dementia that can affect patients at a younger age. Early diagnosis of these non-Alzheimer's disease dementias is now possible with the aid of neuroimaging, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as newer modalities such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, and single-photon emission computed tomography. The imaging features of some of the more common non-Alzheimer's disease dementias will be discussed in this review in order to help clinicians and radiologists better diagnose these conditions.

In dementia of the elderly, the majority of patients with onset around the eighth decade have typical Alzheimer's disease; diagnostic workup is usually simple, and a plain computed tomography brain is sufficient to exclude pathology other than generalised brain atrophy. Advanced neuroimaging is often required when onset occurs at a younger age to confirm a major neurocognitive disorder and non-Alzheimer's disease. The prognosis and trajectory of the latter differs to that of Alzheimer's and, because of the younger age, has important psychosocial implications. Particular clinical features often suggest a non-Alzheimer's diagnosis, and although clinical criteria play a vital role, functional neuroimaging helps reach a definitive diagnosis. A simplified diagnostic chart at the end of this article aims to assist such diagnosis.

Objectives. This research with gastrointestinal cancer patients analyzed the expected outcomes of nursing interventions on a) patient adherence to treatment; b) patient satisfaction with nursing care; and c) health of body conditions such as lung function. Methods. All patients (60 individuals) who underwent chemotherapy at The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, were divided into two equal groups. Group 1 received planned care and Group 2 received evidence-based nursing interventions. Results. The results showed that treatment adherence was higher in Group 2 than in the control group (p = 0.01). In addition, there was a higher rating by patients for the quality of nursing care (p = 0.01), as well as a higher score obtained for lung function (p = 0.01). Treatment adherence resulted in a decrease in the secondary infection rate in Group 2 (p = 0.05). Conclusion. The results showed that quality nursing intervention is effective for lung function improvement, stress level reduction, treatment plans, and a reduction of secondary infections. Keywords: cancer, nursing care, quality of life, lung function, commitment to treatment, secondary infection