Impact of beta-amyloid-specific florbetaben PET imaging on confidence in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2012;33(6):416-22. doi: 10.1159/000339367. Epub 2012 Jul 20.

Abstract

Background: Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) may be corroborated by imaging of beta-amyloid plaques using positron emission tomography (PET). Here, we performed an add-on questionnaire study to evaluate the relevance of florbetaben imaging (BAY 949172) in diagnosis and consecutive management of probable AD patients.

Methods: AD patients with a clinical diagnosis in accordance with the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria or controls were imaged using florbetaben. Referring physicians were asked on a voluntary basis about their confidence in initial diagnosis, significance of PET imaging results, and their anticipated consequences for future patient care.

Results: 121 questionnaires for probable AD patients and 80 questionnaires for controls were evaluated. In 18% of patients who had initially received the diagnosis of probable AD, PET scans were rated negative, whereas in controls 18% of scans were positive. An increase in confidence in the initial diagnosis was frequently reported (80%). Imaging results had a significant impact on the intended patient care, as judged by the referring physicians; this was most prominent in those patients with a contradicting scan and/or a low confidence in the initial diagnosis.

Conclusion: Florbetaben amyloid imaging increases the overall confidence in diagnosis of AD and may frequently influence clinical decisions and patient management.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Aniline Compounds
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Decision Making
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Care Planning
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Stilbenes

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Aniline Compounds
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Stilbenes
  • 4-(N-methylamino)-4'-(2-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)stilbene