Many Alzheimer’s patients experience difficulty lying still for prolonged periods. Factors such as restlessness, movement disorders, or anxiety about the confined space of traditional scanners can complicate the diagnostic process. However, the LMU Klinikum in Munich has introduced a revolutionary Alzheimer brain scan that addresses these issues. This new device resembles a hairdresser’s chair with a drying hood rather than a conventional medical scanner.
“It is ideally suited for patients who cannot lie still for extended periods, which is common with dementia or movement disorders,” explains nuclear medicine specialist Dr. Johannes Gnörich. According to the LMU Klinikum, Munich’s nuclear medicine department is one of the few centers in Germany already employing this new PET scanner.
Importance of Early Diagnosis: The Case of Gudrun Sommer
The significance of early and precise diagnosis is highlighted through the story of a 79-year-old woman, Gudrun Sommer (a pseudonym). She visited the memory clinic at the LMU Klinikum due to sudden gaps in her daily life. Appointments slipped her mind more often, and she struggled to retain the content of conversations. Once-clear connections in her learning began to dissipate more quickly, prompting her to consult with a neurologist, leading to suspicions of early Alzheimer’s disease.
A Novel Scanner: Easing the Diagnostic Process
Privatdozentin Dr. Sonja Schönecker from the Neurological Clinic emphasized Gudrun’s high cognitive capabilities. “The patient has a very high intellectual baseline,” she mentions, indicating that her ability to notice changes was pronounced. During her memory consultation, the crucial question became whether Gudrun would qualify for new medications targeting amyloid deposits in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. However, before initiating therapy, evidence of these deposits is necessary.
The LMU Klinikum utilizes Positron Emission Tomography (PET), a method that can visualize amyloid proteins in the brain and measure the burden without requiring the extraction of cerebrospinal fluid, which is traditionally more invasive.
PET-Scan: Making Deposits Visible
The newly developed scanner, named “NeuroLF,” is specifically tailored for brain examinations. Importantly, patients do not need to lie within a narrow tube, significantly benefiting older individuals. The NeuroLF has market approval in both the USA and the European Union, and its compact design enhances the accessibility of PET imaging, with relatively low procurement and operational costs.
Prof. Matthias Brendel, deputy director of the nuclear medicine department, recognizes the scanner’s potential applications across various neurological diseases, reinforcing its effectiveness in diagnosing tumors and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s.
Making Decisions on Treatment Based on Findings
In Gudrun’s case, the scans confirmed the initial suspicion; her amyloid PET came back positive. Following this, a Tau PET examination was also requested to assess her brain’s level of tau protein, which is closely related to disease progression.
Additional findings did not impede treatment options. The genetic testing revealed no ApoE4 risk gene, and MRI results also did not provide grounds for exclusion. Thus, according to Schönecker, Gudrun met the requirements for a new Alzheimer medication.
Antibodies Aim to Slow Down Progression
The new monoclonal amyloid antibodies specifically target amyloid-beta proteins, allowing immune cells to break down these deposits. While this therapy does not cure Alzheimer’s, it is designed to slow the disease’s progression in its early stages.
“The medications,” says Schönecker, “demonstrably delay disease progression in this early phase.” Gudrun considered this crucial, as she values her independence and wishes to remain self-sufficient for as long as possible.
Monitored Treatment: The Role of New Scans
Gudrun is now undergoing treatment with infusions of monoclonal antibodies every four weeks for a maximum of 18 months. After twelve months, another scan will assess whether sufficient amyloid protein has been cleared from her brain. Depending on her progress, the treatment duration could end sooner.
Prof. Rudolf Werner, director of the clinic for nuclear medicine, highlights the advantages for both patients and the healthcare system. “Using amyloid PET scans during treatment can reduce both the duration and costs of therapy.” Therefore, the new Alzheimer brain scan in Munich not only assists in diagnosis but also helps manage treatment more effectively.
In Summary:
- The new Alzheimer brain scan at the LMU Klinikum can visualize amyloid deposits in the brain without requiring patients to enter a narrow tube.
- This examination is particularly beneficial for individuals with dementia, movement disorders, or claustrophobia, as it allows them to remain more comfortable during the process.
- Timely diagnoses help identify candidates for new amyloid antibodies; this therapy may postpone disease progression during its initial stages.
In addition: While the new Alzheimer brain scan from Munich reveals harmful deposits in the brain, a comprehensive analysis has drawn attention to an often-overlooked circulatory marker. Recent findings indicate that low blood pressure was more prevalent than high blood pressure in Alzheimer diagnoses—researchers are now exploring this correlation further.
Image credit: © LMU Klinikum
