NBC NATIONAL NEWS — A new MRI technique may help diagnose certain forms of dementia.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania say they've been able to use MRI brain scans in a new way that can help diagnose whether a patient has Alzheimer's or a similar form of dementia called Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration.

The two conditions have similar symptoms, but may need to be treated differently.

Current methods of trying to diagnose the conditions include more expensive PET scans and invasive procedures that include inserting a needle into the spine.