Screening for Dementia Caused by Modifiable Lifestyle Choices Using Hybrid PET/MRI.

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Medical Technology
• Public Health

Background:

• Dementia prevalence is rising, driven by aging populations.
• Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing dementia.
• Hybrid PET/MRI offers advanced capabilities for brain imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cost-effectiveness of hybrid PET/MRI for dementia screening.
• To determine the infrastructure requirements for a population-based screening program.
• To assess the financial viability and healthcare savings associated with early dementia detection.

Main Methods:

• Demographic analysis of dementia prevalence and incidence.
• Calculation of expected value for screening using sensitivity, specificity, prevalence, QALY, willingness to pay, and scan cost.
• Estimation of screening capacity and required imaging systems.

Main Results:

• A five-year delay in dementia incidence could reduce prevalence by 45% and save $27,000 CAD per subject annually in Canada.
• The expected value for the PET/MRI screening program was estimated at $23,745 CAD.
• Approximately 3,800 head-only hybrid PET/MRI systems would be needed to screen 11.4 million individuals aged 60-79 annually in Canada, USA, and China.

Conclusions:

• A brain PET/MRI screening program is financially justifiable based on healthcare costs.
• The study supports the continued development of MRI-compatible brain PET technology.
• Hybrid PET/MRI screening is a viable strategy for early dementia detection and management.