In 2023, a significant milestone was reached in Alzheimer’s treatment with the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the first anti-amyloid treatments. These treatments are designed to slow the progression of cognitive decline, offering new ways for maintaining memory and thinking processes during the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Medical imaging has always served as an important role in improving your cognitive health and mental well-being. Neurologists, who study conditions of the brain and nervous system, commonly use medical imaging to help them diagnosis, treatment planning, and ongoing monitoring. With the first in a series of therapies being approved, medical imaging plays a pivotal role in capturing their effectiveness on one of the body’s most complex organs.
As the region’s leader in diagnostic and advanced imaging, South Jersey Radiology Associates (SJRA) developed the Alzheimer’s Imaging Center of Excellence to provide patients, their families, and their neurologists with a convenient and cost-effective imaging services for diagnosing and monitoring progress during anti-amyloid treatments.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia in older adults. The condition affects the areas of the brain that control thought, memory, and language, leading to a decrease in cognitive function over time. While the root causes of Alzheimer’s are still not fully understood, it is believed to result from a combination of genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and lifestyle factors.
What are Amyloid Plaques in the brain?
Amyloid plaques are abnormal pockets of protein fragments that accumulate between neurons in the brain. These pockets are made up of beta-amyloid, a protein variant stemming from other normal proteins found in the fatty membrane surrounding neurons.
Under normal circumstances, the body works to break down and eliminate these proteins. In men and women with Alzheimer’s, genetic mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP), cystatin (CST3), or integral membrane protein 2B (ITM2B) raise productions of protein variants that are less stable, including beta-amyloid. These beta-amyloid fragments accumulate and stick together to form plaques.
Amyloid plaque build-up can be found in the spaces between neurons located in the regions of the brain involved in memory and cognitive function, such as the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The build-up interferes with neural communication and causes an inflammatory response in the brain. The consistent inflammation and toxicity of the plaque causes healthy neurons to deteriorate and prevents communication between each, which is critical for learning and memory.
What do Anti-Amyloid Therapies do?
Anti-amyloid therapies are designed to target and reduce the build-up of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. These treatments work at a biological level, aiming to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s by addressing one of the underlying causes. Monitoring for potential side effects, such as changes in brain structure, and measuring the effectiveness is where MRI imaging comes in.
Why is Medical Imaging Important for Anti-Amyloid Treatment?
Medical imaging is crucial to both the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and the monitoring of treatment-related side effects.
Before starting treatment, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s must be confirmed. Neurologists and insurance providers typically rely on advanced imaging techniques to detect beta-amyloid in the brain. PET scans and MRI scans are two key technologies used in this process.
PET scans are very effective in visualizing beta-amyloid plaques. By using specialized radioactive tracers that bind to the plaques, PET scans provide detailed images that reveal the presence and distribution of these plaques. At South Jersey Radiology, these images are interpreted by highly-trained radiologists who are subspecialized in neurology and nuclear medicine.
Anti-amyloid treatments can lead to a condition know as ARIA (Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities), which may manifest as temporary brain swelling and small spots of bleeding within/or on the surface of the brain. MRI imaging is used regularly during treatment to monitor these side effects. The presence and severity of ARIA are carefully evaluated to determine if the patient can safely continue their therapy.
Why South Jersey Radiology is Your Partner in Alzheimer’s Imaging
At South Jersey Radiology Associates, we are dedicated to providing advanced imaging services that support Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment in a comfortable setting. Our imaging centers use the latest imaging technologies ensuring accurate and timely results for patients and healthcare providers.
We offer flexible appointment hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate patients’ busy schedules. Our board-certified neuroradiologists are experts in interpreting brain imaging, particularly in the context of Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions. Our team will work with you and your neurologist to assess the effectiveness of the amyloid therapies to ensure you have a treatment plan tailored to you.
