New technique shows promise in early detection of Alzheimer’s

Presently, the only way to be completely sure that someone was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to have a brain biopsy after death.

A new imaging technique using Flutemetamol, a compound that creates a luminous map of the affected area in the brain, showed promise in clinical trials.

This method of diagnosis, experts believe, could be a step closer to potential treatment, or at least early detection of the debilitating brain disease that afflicts thousands of people each year.

Professor Leslie Findley, consultant neuroscientist at the Essex Neuroscience Unit, stated, “The study is very positive but we don’t know the full picture yet. To be able to detect AD as a very early diagnosis really would be ground-breaking.”

The technique
The procedure works by injecting Flutemetamol into the arm of the patient, who then undergoes a positron emission tomography (PET) scan.

If amyloid-beta plaques responsible for AD are present in the brain, the compound will make them glow red.

Study's 2nd phase
The second phase of the Flutemetamol study, to test the efficacy of the PET scans, was completed earlier this year.

For the trials, 65 patients suffering with AD and other degenerative mental-health conditions were recruited. The subjects were not expected to survive for more than a year.

The study found the rate of misdiagnosis of Alzheimer’s was 15 percent when a specialist studied each case. That rate dropped to just 7 percent when Flutemetamol was used.

The clinical trials are now in the final stage. If the results are successful, the technique may be available by the end of 2012.

Dr Francois Nicolas, director of neurology for PET Medical Diagnostics, at GE Healthcare, the company that is developing Flutemetamol, said, “What makes the results so revolutionary is that it makes both a correct and an earlier diagnosis possible for the first time.

“This could significantly increase the quality and even the length of a patient’s life. Equally, those whose scan shows no signs of AD can be given the appropriate treatment they need too.”

Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, characterized by mental impairment that affects an individual’s ability to carry out daily activities.

The condition gradually attacks the brain, leading to loss of memory. People become confused and have trouble remembering things that happened recently.

With time, the symptoms get worse and people lose the ability to walk, talk, and swallow. Sufferers can become aggressive, anxious and even wander away from home.

Alzheimer’s generally strikes after age 60 but the risk intensifies as one gets older.

Although it is believed that genetics play a role in dementia, recent studies reveal that lifestyle factors might also influence the severity of the problems.

No treatment can stop the disease, though some drugs may help keep symptoms from getting worse.