Impact of Beta-Amyloid-Specific Florbetaben PET Imaging on Confidence in Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Authors:
  • IHI. Heuser
    I. Heuser
  • TGT. Grimmer
    T. Grimmer
  • MSM.N. Sabbagh
    M.N. Sabbagh
  • CHC. Hock
    C. Hock
  • MKM. Kunz
    M. Kunz
  • JKJ. Kuhlmann
    J. Kuhlmann
  • CRC. Reininger
    C. Reininger
  • MBM. Blankenburg
    M. Blankenburg
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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.