Degenerative Diseases of the CNS

Structural and metabolic neuroimaging techniques have made substantial contributions in the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and provide essential biomarkers for developing new treatments. Presented in this chapter are the most prevalent primary neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Lewy body, and Parkinson diseases, as well as frontotemporal lobar degeneration, other tauopathies and alpha-synucleinopathies, motor system degeneration, and prion diseases. Secondary neuronal degeneration is frequently recognized in association with prevalent destructive brain conditions such as stroke, and is presented thereafter with emphasis on the DWI findings.