http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/puba...display.asp?prID=978

John, could you translate and summarize that article for me, please?

Alan,

The way I understand it, this X-ray technique is the same as conventional X-rays in the way it works. A high energy light beam passes through the brain and casts an image on a photographically sensitive material on the opposite side (or,these days, a digital version thereof).

It is unique in that it uses a much more intense beam of X-rays (analogous to higher wattage light bulb) and focuses the beam on a smaller area. This results in a greater degree of image clarity and magnification. In the photos shown the plaques are clearly visible as a group of little bumps.

I have looked at an MRI of Alzheimer's brain on the internet and could not make out the plaque details like I could on this one.

I previously gave a link to that MRI: http://www.med.harvard.edu/AANLIB/home.html

This new, high intensity X-ray method is not yet usable on humans. The photos shown were of a mouse brain. It reminds me a little of images I have seen of materials that were taken with an electron microscope. That technique can actually distinguish individual molecules in non-living material.

Once the scientists can figure out a way to make this high energy X-ray technique safe to use on humans, it will allow for the detection of AD at earlier stage. This, in turn, would give patients a head start on using medications which work best when given early--Aricept, for example.