Is US residence a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease?
Poul F Høilund-Carlsen1,2, Abass Alavi3, Tommaso Costa4,5
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|July 4, 2025
Summary
Reducing Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk factors is crucial. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should reconsider amyloid PET scan reimbursement and favor FDG-PET scans for better AD diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
- Public Health
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects millions globally, with prevalence rates varying by region (e.g., 2.1% in the US, 0.7% in the UK).
- Current diagnostic approaches include risk factor reduction and imaging techniques.
Discussion:
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) October 2023 decision to liberalize amyloid PET scan reimbursement warrants reconsideration.
- Amyloid PET scans are criticized for their non-specific nature in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.
Key Insights:
- FDG-PET scans offer a more direct visualization of Alzheimer's disease by highlighting impaired regional brain function.
- Shifting focus from non-specific amyloid PET scans to functional FDG-PET scans could improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
Outlook:
- Implementing FDG-PET scans as a preferred diagnostic tool could enhance the effectiveness of Alzheimer's disease management strategies.
- Further research and policy changes are needed to optimize diagnostic pathways for Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing functional brain changes.
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