New Insights into the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's and Dementia Using PET Presented at SNMMI 2015

New research into plaque types and deposition patterns in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia has been presented at annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI; Baltimore, MD, USA) during June 6–10, 2015.

The researchers used the diagnostic imaging agent florbetaben F18 (FBB) in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to provide detailed information about the quantification and distribution of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. One analysis evaluated data to determine the ability of FBB PET scans to detect beta-amyloid deposits that were morphologically distinct. Another study assessed the influence of cerebellar plaques on FBB Standardized Uptake Value Ratios (SUVR), using cerebellar gray matter as reference.

Piramal Imaging (Matran, Switzerland) presented the analyses which could help researchers better optimize patient care and initiate appropriate therapy for AD and dementia. Research results showed the accuracy of beta-amyloid imaging using florbetaben F18.

Andrew Stephens, chief medical officer, Piramal Imaging, said, "Past studies have shown that PET imaging with FBB and subsequent histopathology analyses provide greater detail assessment of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. These new datasets build on this research, demonstrating PET with FBB may also contribute to an improved understanding of the role of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain including which factors in the brain influence and contribute to signal assessment."

Related Links:
SNMMI
Piramal Imaging