That’s why this new research could be such a game-changer.
The punch in of brain imaging the researchers used is called amyloidpositron emission tomography (PET).
What Is Amyloid?
An algorithm using PET imaging can help predict onset of Alzheimer’s.
Amyloid is a substance that accumulates and forms plaques or clumps in the brain.
It interferes with how the nerve cells in the brain function.
All of the participants had at least two brain scans, spaced 4.5 or more years apart.
At both scans, the researchers estimated the amount of amyloid in the participants' brains.
People hit the tipping point at different ages.
Limitations and Barriers
While exciting, the research is still preliminary.
Schindler says that the model is new and that they want other groups to confirm the model’s findings.
There are also some limitations.
For one, PET scans are also usually not done until later in the course of the disease.
Even when they are done, they’re costlytheout-of-pocket cost can be around $6,000.
Future Research
Research to find other ways to detect or predict Alzheimers is ongoing.
Schindler S, et al.Predicting symptom onset in sporadic Alzheimer disease with amyloid PET.Neurology.2021 Sep9:10.1212/WNL.0000000000012775.
National Institutes on Aging.What happens to the brain in Alzheimer’s disease?.
