Amyloid PET using 18F-florbetapir (Amyvid) is established radiotracer of amyloid-β pathology and neuronal injury in Alzheimer disease.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior accounting for 50 to 60% of all cases. Diagnosis of AD is hampered by the lack of noninvasive biomarkers of the underlying pathology. Clinicians may not diagnose AD in 33% of patients with mild signs and symptoms. Thus, a diagnostic biomarker may help physician’s separate patients who have AD pathology from those who do not.
What is Amyvid
Amyvid is a FDA approved radioactive diagnostic agent for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the brain to estimate β-amyloid neuritic plaque density in adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for AD and other causes of cognitive decline.
How the Amyvid imaging works
Amyvid binds to β-amyloid plaques and the F 18 isotope produces a positron signal that is detected by a PET scanner. Amyvid imaging provides amyloid status and the ability to rule out AD.
Presence of amyloid burden consistent with pathological diagnosis of AD. May be present in patients with other neurodegenerative diseases and in cognitively normal elderly patients.
Lack of amyloid burden is inconsistent with AD
Researchers have demonstrated that Amyloid PET can increase diagnostic confidence and change clinical diagnosis
Benefits of an early and accurate diagnosis
When diagnosed early, in active patients, any treatment delaying progression has the potential to prolong productive life, and delay progression to dementia
- Provides access to a pathway of care – including enrolling in clinical trials
- Allows patients and their families to seek support and plan for the future; a proper diagnosis offers hope
- Targeted medication, lifestyle management and treatment of comorbid conditions can improve quality of life
- Addresses safety considerations in the setting of cognitive impairment, including ability to continue driving
Why Charter Radiology
Charter Radiology is ACR accredited and dedicated to providing our community with state-of-the-art medical imaging services with access the most advanced PET/CT technology available. Charter Radiology is multidisciplinary team of University trained neuroradiologists, nuclear medicine physicians and scientists to provide a truly personalized approach to diagnosis and best, most up-to date treatment.
IDEAS – Imaging Dementia—Evidence for Amyloid Scanning Study
Charter Radiology is proud to be selected to participate in IDEAS National Study to assess the impact of amyloid PET brain scans on patient management and health outcomes, and will address additional gaps in knowledge that are highly relevant to improve precision in future coverage decisions and implementation of amyloid PET in clinical practice
18F-florbetapir (Amyvid) Images
71-year-old female with history of worsening of memory loss underwent evaluation for AD
Figure. There is diffusely increased tracer uptake in the cortical gray matter involving the bilateral frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes with loss of gray-white matter contrast. Findings suggestive of a positive scan indicating moderate to frequent amyloid neuritic plaques.
CHARTER RADIOLOGY where care starts at the molecular level with our state of the art 128 slices PET/CT Biograph mCT
Is PET/CT safe?
At Charter Radiology we use low radiation dose. A typical administered activity (dose) is about 370 MBq or ~ 8-10 mSV which is relatively low (compare to a regular CT scan radiation dose 7 mSV without contrast and >15 mSV with contrast).
WHAT I WILL EXPERIENCE DURING AND AFTER 18F-florbetapir (Amyvid) PET/CT Imaging
- There are no pre-exam instruction
- Our nuclear technologist will inject painless radiotracer IV (intravenous)
- The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects
- Approximately 30 minutes to one hour later, you will be brought into the exam room for the scan
- Your scan will take approximately 15 minutes.
- During this time you will be required to lie flat on your back, without moving.
- Using a special nuclear medicine camera, pictures of your brain will be obtained. The camera does not produce any radiation; it simply detects and records the distribution of the radioactive material in your brain.
- When test is complete, you may resume your normal activities
- The radiotracer will pass through your body through urine, stool and natural radioactive decay- There are no post-exam instructions