Plaques and tangles
Great news for those wondering if they possess a brain condition known to frequently cause Alzheimer’s: You no longer have to undergo an autopsy to learn the results.
ELI LILY TEST APPROVED BY FDA
Photo credit: Wikipedia
The presence of brain amyloid plaques are known to be consistent with Alzheimer’s disease and up until now their development could only be determined during the autopsy of someone suspected of having Alzheimer’s. Now they can be detected in a test developed by Eli Lilly & Company that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration April 6, 2012.
CONFIRMS PRESENCE OF AMYLOIDS
Early detection and an accurate diagnosis at the first signs of memory loss allow treating physicians to more accurately treat the symptoms patients are experiencing. Brain amyloids are just one symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, but they are typically not present in other forms of dementias. Being able to confirm their presence, however, is expected to facilitate the development of new drugs and treatments to fight the disease.
Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in America and is the only cause of death in the top 10 that does not presently have a known prevention, treatment to slow its progression or a cure. This new test is a major breakthrough in the Alzheimer’s epidemic.
AMYLOIDS HIGHLIGHTED DURING BRAIN IMAGING
Beta amyloid
Eli Lilly & Company’s development is the creation of a drug they will brand as “Amyvid” and has the chemical name of florbetapir. It contains a radioactive feature that highlights amyloids during brain imaging exams conducted using positron emission tomography, (PET Scans).
The test is not cheap, but is still more user-friendly than an autopsy. Doses of Amyvid are expected to be in the range of $1,500, and a PET scan runs between $1,000 and $3,000. The drug company is quick to point out that the test alone with not necessarily confirm Alzheimer’s, but it is an effective new tool for neurologists to use in assessing the cause of a patient’s cognitive impairment. It could also be effectively used to rule out Alzheimer’s as the source of memory problems.
INDICATES TYPE OF DEMENTIA TO TREAT
Brain MRI Scan
The drug company points out that not everyone who has brain amyloids will contract Alzheimer’s, just as not everyone who has high cholesterol will suffer a heart attack. While Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, there are many other forms of cognitive impairments.
This test will provide neurologists a good indication as to which form of dementia to treat as well as another scientific tool to track its progression.
Researchers are still struggling to accurately define the cause and progression of Alzheimer’s, but it is well-recognized that amyloid plaques and another abnormal brain lesion known as tau tangles are highly suspected contributors. This new drug and the test procedure used to detect it when it marks the presence of amyloids is a significant breakthrough in Alzheimer’s related research.
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