New Technology Quantitatively Analyzes Alzheimer's Biomarkers Using MR and PET Images

A novel treatment for Alzheimer's disease utilizes an anti-amyloid antibody drug to reduce amyloid beta proteins in the brain. However, a common side effect, ARIA (Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities), often appears in brain scans of patients using the drug. Therefore, careful monitoring and management of ARIA is crucial when prescribing anti-amyloid antibody drugs. Now, new cutting-edge brain imaging solutions for Alzheimer's disease treatment can enable the analysis of ARIA, thereby improving efficacy and outcomes.

Neurophet (Seoul, South Korea), an artificial intelligence (AI) solution company specializing in brain diseases, has developed a new technology to examine ARIA-E (edema) typically detected by T2-FLAIR, an MRI sequence, and ARIA-H (hemorrhages), primarily identified by GRE or SWI. An amyloid-PET scan is necessary to observe cortical amyloid beta deposition. Neurophet’s advanced technology predicts amyloid positivity through MR images before conducting amyloid-PET scans. The use of MR images for predicting amyloid positivity could provide a cost-effective solution for clinical trials and prognosis monitoring of Alzheimer's disease treatment, given that amyloid-PET scans are costly and their use and reimbursement are severely restricted. Moreover, PET scans are not universally accessible due to the limited availability of PET scanners.

At the recent Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) 2023, Neurophet showcased its cutting-edge brain imaging analysis technology, which can be applied in clinical trials and the prescription of new Alzheimer's disease drugs. The company's Neurophet AQUA software, a brain MRI analysis tool, analyzes brain atrophy observed in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Another product, the Neurophet SCALE PET software, quantitatively assesses Alzheimer's disease biomarkers using MR and PET images. It provides quantitative measurement of cortical amyloid beta deposition, a known causative agent of Alzheimer's disease. Neurophet is investing in research and development of analysis technology for ARIA side effects and aims to bring the products to market along with the launch of new Alzheimer's disease treatments.

"Neurophet's major products and technologies are expected to be very useful in the process of clinical trials, diagnosis, side effect monitoring and prognosis observation of Alzheimer's disease treatment." said CEO Jake Junkil Been of Neurophet. "We are going all out to develop solutions related to Alzheimer's disease treatment to preemptively target the high-growth Alzheimer's disease treatment market."

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