Essentia Health has introduced a new diagnostic test for the early detection of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease at its downtown Duluth campus in Minnesota, US.
According to the company, this condition currently affects more than seven million individuals in the country.
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The test identifies amyloid plaques, which are abnormal protein deposits in the brain associated with cognitive impairment and are a key indicator of Alzheimer鈥檚.
This service, available in the Northland region, provides local patients with improved access to essential diagnostics.
Since the programme’s launch in July, Essentia Health has conducted multiple scans.
Essentia neurologist Dr Stephen Rostad said: 鈥淭his represents a major leap forward in Alzheimer鈥檚 care for our community.
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By GlobalData鈥淏y detecting amyloid plaques early, we can confirm eligibility for breakthrough treatments that target and reduce these deposits, potentially slowing the progression of cognitive decline. It鈥檚 about giving patients and families hope through timely intervention.鈥�
Utilising established PET and CT imaging technology, the test incorporates a radioactive tracer known as Amyvid.
After administration, the tracer binds to amyloid plaques, allowing for their visualisation during the imaging process.
Following a 40-minute circulation period, the actual scan lasts approximately 10 minutes, with the total appointment time being under one hour.
If imaging shows elevated amyloid plaque levels, patients may qualify for FDA-approved therapies designed to reduce these plaques.
Essentia stated that early detection through amyloid PET/CT enables personalised treatment plans.
According to Essentia Health, such treatments have the potential to delay the onset of symptoms or prevent severe disease development as research progresses.
