SPOKANE, WA – It is estimated that as many as 20 percent of people over age 65 will be affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by the year 2030. On September 15, 2004, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a national coverage memorandum for the use of PET/CT in the differential diagnosis of early dementia from Alzheimer’s disease. This decision could potentially introduce these people to a newfound chance at early detection.

   PET/CT scanners combine the technology of positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) into a single powerful diagnostic imaging system. Combined with conventional diagnostic techniques, the technology has 90 percent sensitivity for diagnosing Alzheimer’s in its early stages.

   Conventional diagnostic techniques that only study anatomy, i.e., CT, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and EEGs (electroencephalograms), may misinterpret findings as normal or show only non-specific findings. In addition to the anatomical imaging provided by CT, PET adds the dimension of cell metabolism through analysis of the brain’s use of glucose.

   This greatly increases PET/CT’s sensitivity in identifying the early changes that occur in AD. The current recommendation for patients who present with adverse changes in cognition or behavior is to obtain PET/CT scanning early in the course of clinical work-up. This is especially important in behavior that has not been fully explained and/or reversed following standard diagnostic and treatment approaches.

   This information is becoming even more pertinent, as Alzheimer’s is increasingly recognized as a pharmacologically treatable dementia. Clinical trials have shown that cholinesterase inhibitors can delay the patient’s decline in memory and can also be beneficial in improving their functional abilities. Studies suggest this has attributed to delayed entry into nursing home placement by 18 months.

   For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and PET/CT’s use in its detection, please call Inland Imaging at (509) 455-4455.