Alzheimer‘s Disease
Empowering clinicians to transform Alzheimer’s Disease management.
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The battle against Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has long been one of the most challenging and heart-wrenching. This relentless neurological disorder, marked by cognitive decline and memory loss, has no cure1. However, in recent years new hope has emerged: novel therapies, so called Disease Modifying Therapies (DMT)2, which claim to slow progression of this devastating disease, have entered the market.3
These new DMTs, while promising, require careful consideration to:
- Find the patients early enough in the disease progression
- Monitor these patients against adverse effects once treatment begins
Numerous tests are used to diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease, from laboratory tests to diagnostic neuroimaging.4 Siemens Healthineers offers a comprehensive portfolio to help healthcare providers transform their management of Alzheimer’s Disease patients.
How DMT works
Amyloid beta protein accumulates around brain neurons in Alzheimer’s
DMT antibody binds to amyloid beta protein
Antibody attracts immune cells to break down the protein
Less amyloid beta protein around the neuron
PET/CT
All Biograph family PET/CT scanners may play a key role in helping to evaluate the presence of amyloid plaques, which are consistent with an Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis. In the USA, PETNET Solutions sells and distributes specialized tracers that bind to amyloid plaques to confirm amyloid plaque presence. Confirmation of amyloid plaques enables physicians to potentially identify Alzheimer's as early in the process as possible. There can be challenges of interpreting amyloid clinical cases based on visual assessment alone. syngo.via also delivers unique software, Cortical Analysis, to assist physicians in the evaluation of amyloid plaques.
MRI
MRI plays a key role in managing patients along the Alzheimer’s Disease pathway. New pharmaceutical treatments require MRI scans at defined timepoints to monitor for signs of ARIA (amyloid related imaging abnormalities), known side effects associated with these new treatments.6 Every MAGNETOM scanner in our MR portfolio is equipped, out-of-the-box, to handle the scan requirements mandated by these novel therapies. AI-powered technologies such as myExam Brain Assist and Deep Resolve Boost, Sharp and Swift Brain ensure that the scans are fast, automated, and reproducible. AI-Rad Companion Brain MR automates the visualization of anatomy and abnormalities in the brain.
people suffer from AD worldwide5
people die of complications from AD each year5
in leading causes of death in Neurology5
The underlying mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s Disease are not fully understood. Future advancements in disease management will require innovative technologies that go beyond what is possible today. MAGNETOM Cima.X6, and the Biograph Vision.XTM 7 and Biograph QuadraTM 7 deliver MR and PET/CT imaging capabilities unmatched in the market. As the leader in the neuroimaging community, Siemens Healthineers stands together with the brightest minds in academia and industry to make a transformative impact on the management of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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1Abubakar MB, Sanusi KO, Ugusman A, Mohamed W, Kamal H, Ibrahim NH, Khoo CS, Kumar J. Alzheimer's Disease: An Update and Insights Into Pathophysiology. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Mar 30;14:742408. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.742408. PMID: 35431894; PMCID: PMC9006951.
2Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT) in Alzheimer’s Disease comes with risks. Please refer to the specific DMT's prescribing information for side effects, contraindications, and risks.
3Shi, Mingchao, Chu, Fengna, Zhu, Feiqi, Zhu, Jie. Impact of Anti-amyloid-β Monoclonal Antibodies on the Pathology and Clinical Profile of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Focus on Aducanumab and Lecanemab https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.870517
4Marcus C, Mena E, Subramaniam RM. Brain PET in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Clin Nucl Med. 2014 Oct;39(10):e413-22; quiz e423-6. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000000547. PMID: 25199063; PMCID: PMC4332800.
5https://www.thelancet.com/lancet/visualisations/gbd-compare
6https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/761269Orig1s001lbl.pdf
7MAGNETOM Cima.X is pending 510(k) clearance and is not yet commercially available in the United States. Its future availability cannot be guaranteed.
8Biograph Vision.X and Biograph QuadraTM are not commercially available in all countries. Their future availability cannot be guaranteed.