New Test Helps Identify Alzheimer’s Hallmarks

TYLER — A new imaging procedure at ETMC will help doctors pinpoint key differences between Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Amyvid, from Eli Lilly, is newly approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ETMC officials say it is the first and only diagnostic agent approved for imaging of amyloid plaques in a patient’s brain. Amyloid plaques are considered a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer’s. “This is an important step forward in evaluating patients with signs of cognitive impairment,” said Dr. George M. Plotkin, PhD, MD, of the ETMC Neurological Institute. “Patients with cognitive symptoms should discuss this test with their primary care physician to determine if they are candidates.”

PET, or positron emission tomography, scans allow doctors to see how organs are functioning inside the body by delivering color contrast images. Amyvid, which is mildly radioactive, binds to amyloid plaques in the brain. Physicians can get a contrasting view of the presence of plaques on a computer screen. Since the test is new, it is still under evaluation by Medicare, so hospital officials say patients will want to discuss potential out-of-pocket costs vs. benefits. “For those patients who are proper candidates, when the test is interpreted by a neuroradiologist and coupled with an appropriate clinical history, the test can provide important diagnostic details,” Dr. Plotkin said.