A method for detecting Alzheimer's disease using positron emission tomography. A normal population mean is obtained using PET. The normal population mean is obtained through the assimilation of a number of normal brain scans. Non-AD images and AD images are compared to observe differences in the uptake of FDG. PET scan results are expressed as relative uptake intensities and indexed by Brodmann's areas. An image is tested by comparing the distance of each mean for each Brodmann's area from the normal distribution. A Receiver Operating Characteristic curve is plotted based on the variation of deviation for the total population of both normal and probable Alzheimer's brain images. Variations in FDG uptake in a brain image as compared to the normal distribution confirms the probability of AD.