| Family CaregiverPhoto GalleryWelcome to the DETA picture gallery. A picture is worth a thousand words,
especially for persons with dementia. This section contains pictures that
show the types of damage seen in common forms of dementia at both the
gross and microscopic level. Additional pictures are available through
the DETA picture books by calling 1-800-457-5679.
Brains are removed from patients at autopsy to confirm a clinical diagnosis
and assist scientist in discovering the causes of dementia. The brains
are examined intact and then sliced into sections for internal inspection.
Pieces of brain are sent for examination with the microscope. The pathological
diagnosis of dementia requires both the gross and microscopic examination
of brain tissue. This picture gallery contains samples of both kinds of
examinations. Click to enlargeReturn to top | |
A
normal brain's talking center compared with that of a brain affected
by Alzheimer's.
A
normal brain's temper center compared with that of a brain affected
by Alzheimer's.
Regions
controlling hearing and understanding in a normal and an Alzheimer's
afflicted brain.
Hardened
arteries and clogged blood vessels. 
A
normal brain's memory center compared with that of a brain affected
by Alzheimer's. 
Comparison
of a normal brain and an Alzheimer's afflicted brain in the region
controlling temper and personality. 
Holes
left in the brain after a stroke. 
A
normal brain compared with
A
normal brain's hearing center compared with that of a brain affected
by Alzheimer's. 
A
normal brain compared to a brain afflicted with Alzheimer's. 