Press Releases

New Imaging Compound allows researchers to see plaques
 

A new study is now underway at the University of Michigan that uses a new imaging compound called Pittsburgh Compound-B (PIB) to visualize the amyloid plaque deposits typically found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Currently, there are only a few imaging compounds that have been found to successfully bind to amyloid, making it possible to see the deposits with positron emission tomography (PET).  PIB (named after the University of Pittsburgh which is where the compound was discovered) is one of these promising new compounds. Previously, researchers could only see amyloid deposits by performing a brain autopsy after death. Amyloid plaques, along with tangles, are the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease that researchers look for at the time of autopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Being able to detect the accumulation of plaques while patients are alive could lead to a much earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. It is also hoped that if researchers can detect the plaque deposition early on in the course of the disease, they me be able to better monitor the effectiveness of new treatments in ongoing or planned clinical trials. One line of research being studied includes therapies that may be useful in clearing away plaque deposits from the brain.

This study, however, does not involve an experimental treatment. Rather, researchers want to determine whether plaque deposition is occurring in the brain in subjects who are just starting to experience mild memory impairment.

Researchers are currently looking for individuals that are experiencing mild memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment, but do not have Alzheimer’s disease. It is unclear whether everyone with mild cognitive impairment will go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The study participants will receive a MRI of the brain and a  PET scan using the PIB compound at the beginning of the study and then again after one year.

“This is important for scientific purposes because it allows us to predict whether amyloid deposition is occurring or not,” said Kirk Frey, M.D., Ph.D., the principal investigator for the project.

Researchers will also closely monitor study participants to determine if there is a correlation between symptom progression and plaque deposition.

Frey also said that if the results of this current study can be replicated on a larger scale, PIB may be used by researchers and treating physicians around the country in the future.

The study also requires a brief screening visit or telephone interview, a medical history and examination, and neuropsychometric testing. Study participants can be on medication for memory loss while taking part in this study but they cannot have any serious medical problems, such as cancer. 

Please contact Kris Wernette, R.N., for more information on this study at
734-936-5894.