Doctors may find it
easier to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in the future due to the discovery of a new biomarker.
According to a new study from scientists at Banner Sun Health Research
Institute, florbetaben can be used as a tracer for the beta-amyloid proteins
which are the hallmark of the condition and the reason for the associated
decline in cognitive function.
Currently, doctors can only confirm the prescience of the plaque with a brain
tissue sample, but a combination of the drug, a PET scan and an MRI scan was
able to predict its presence with a sensitivity of 100 per cent and a
specificity of 92 per cent.
"This is an easy, non-invasive way to assist an Alzheimer's diagnosis at
an early stage. Also exciting is the possibility of using florbetaben as tool
in future therapeutic clinical research studies," said Marwan Sabbagh,
lead author of the study.
© Adfero Ltd
Alzheimer's treatment news : 22 April 2012
