Application of molecular imaging in vascular cognitive impairment

Cerebrovascular disease is a common cause of cognitive impairment or dementia. Vascular cognitive impairment （VCI） often occurs independently or coexists with Alzheimer＇s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Early intervention of vascular risk factors, such as hypertension, can prevent or delay the process of VCI. MRI can only reveal the parenchymal damage from structures, but can not early identify brain tissue dysfunction or the presence of VCI. The molecular imaging techniques, such as single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography have been gradually used to the field of neuroscience. They have important roles in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and related research of VCI. Key words: Cognition Disorders;  Dementia, Vascular;  Molecular imaging;  Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon;  Positron-Emission Tomography