Molecular dementia imaging using amyloid plaque PET-CT (e.g. florbetaben)
A new molecular imaging method for dementia diagnostics is offered at the UKS, Nuclear Medicine Clinic in Homburg. Amyloid PET examination (e.g. using 18F florbetaben) is an excellent diagnostic method for patients with mild cognitive impairments to predict whether their condition will progress to a dementia or not.
What are the β-amyloid deposits?
Emerging of certain protein deposits (the so-called “β-amyloid deposits of plaques”) is a well-recognized feature of Alzheimer's disease. The 18F-florbetaben PET examination enabled the detection of amyloid plaques in living patients for the first time. The results of this examination must always be interpreted in the context of the patient's medical history. If the test result is negative (no plaque was found), Alzheimer's disease can definitely be ruled out although certain patterns of plaque deposition can be seen in normal individuals as well.
How does the examination work?
The patient is injected with a radioactive substance of low-level radiation. The tracer used (e.g. 18F-florbetaben) attaches itself to β amyloid deposits in the brain with high specificity and sensitivity and can thus make them visible using a PET (positron emission tomography) scanner.
Documents
Please bring all relevant documents with you to the examination (especially pictures and findings from preliminary examinations, also available in digital form on CD and doctor's letters). For the possible intravenous administration of contrast material as part of CT (computed tomography), please have the creatinine level in the blood determined by your family doctor as soon as possible - ideally in the week before the examination. The result of your blood creatinine should be provided on the day of examination.
Examination procedure
Following the injection of the 18F tracer, the patient should rest for about 90 minutes. The actual PET/CT examination takes about 20 minutes. After the examination, the diagnosis is carried out by a nuclear physician qualified in the interpretation of these special studies.
Side effects
No side effects are to be expected from the injection of the radioactive tracer itself.
Side effects may occur as a result of the administration of iodine-containing contrast medium as part of the accompanying contrast-enhanced CT (intolerance reaction, hyperthyroidism, worsening of a pre-existing renal insufficiency). During the consultation with our physician, please make sure to point out if you have experienced a contrast agent reaction in the past (reddening of the skin, itching, swelling, shortness of breath, etc.).
