" Im really grateful for this test. I wouldnt have known that I was in the early stage of Alzheimers disease without it. I just thought it was normal memory loss due to old age." A few days ago, Mr. Liu, a 68-year-old man, was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimers disease through an 18F-AβPET/CT scan, thus gaining the opportunity for early intervention and treatment.
The 18F - AβPET/CT is a highly groundbreaking technique in the field of diagnosing Alzheimers disease. It enables non-invasive and precise diagnosis of Alzheimers disease 10-15 years in advance.
Professor Yu Lijuans team is reviewing scans.
01 Early Diagnosis of AD is of Paramount Importance
Alzheimers disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with insidious onset and progressive development. Its clinical progression is irreversible, manifested as a decline in cognitive functions such as learning and memory, accompanied by abnormal mental behaviors, and leading to a decrease in the ability to perform activities of daily living.
The China Alzheimers Disease Report 2024 indicates that in 2021, the number of AD and other dementia patients in China reached 16.990827 million, accounting for nearly 30% of the global total. This large number of patients not only imposes a heavy care burden on their families but also poses a severe challenge to the social public health system.
Research shows that the occurrence of Alzheimers disease is closely related to the abnormal deposition of β- amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. The deposition of Aβ gradually damages neurons, resulting in a decline in cognitive function. Therefore, early detection of Aβ deposition is crucial for the early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimers disease.
02 Non-Invasive Diagnosis, Say Goodbye to "Lumbar Puncture"
Dr. Meng Fansheng from the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Hainan Cancer Hospital introduced that the traditional method for diagnosing Alzheimers disease (AD) usually involves extracting cerebrospinal fluid through lumbar puncture to detect biomarkers such as β - amyloid. During this process, patients not only have to endure severe pain but also face the risk of infection. As a result, many patients in the early stage of AD refuse further examination due to fear of the pain and risks associated with lumbar puncture, thus missing the opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment.
The 18F - AβPET/CT examination is a safe and non-invasive procedure. Patients only need to receive an intravenous injection of a specific radioactive drug, which travels through the body and precisely binds to possible Aβ plaques in the brain. By using a PET device for scanning, clear brain images can be generated, visually presenting the distribution of Aβ plaques and accurately diagnosing Alzheimers disease. The entire process causes no discomfort to the patient.
Precisely because this test is safe and non-invasive, it can be used to monitor the treatment effect during the treatment process. The "Expert Consensus on the Application of Amyloid PET Imaging in the Diagnosis of Alzheimers Disease" recommends the use of 18F - AβPET/CT to provide a basis for accurate diagnosis, efficacy evaluation, and disease prognosis of AD. It also suggests performing 18F - AβPET/CT for assessment and follow-up of efficacy monitoring before and during anti-Aβ disease-modifying treatment for AD.
03 Detect 15 Years in Advance, Seize the Opportunity for Intervention
Professor Yu Lijuan, the director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Hainan Cancer Hospital and an expert at Hainan Chengmei Hospital, introduced that the pathological process of Alzheimers disease can last for decades. In the early stage, namely the subjective cognitive decline stage (SCD), abnormal deposition of Aβ in the brain has already begun.
Yu Lijuan stated that the core advantage of 18F - AβPET/CT lies in its "ultra-early detection" ability. It can accurately detect lesions when cognitive function is normal but abnormal Aβ deposition has occurred in the brain, and can identify "hidden lesions" 10-15 years in advance. This ultra-early diagnostic ability provides patients with valuable time for intervention.
Classic Case
Mr. Jia noticed a significant decline in his memory as early as three years ago. Since there were Alzheimers disease patients around him, he had been paying close attention to this issue. In March 2023, Mr. Jia underwent an 18F - AβPET/CT examination in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, and the result was positive. Fortunately, the disease was detected promptly, and doctors quickly developed a medication intervention plan for him.
Now, two years have passed since the diagnosis. Mr. Jias condition has been effectively controlled and has not progressed further. He can still take care of himself and enjoy his life.
The Department of Nuclear Medicine of our hospital is currently the only unit in Hainan that can perform AβPET/CT examinations. So far, more than 200 AβPET/CT imaging examinations have been carried out. The results show that in the subjective cognitive decline stage of Alzheimers disease, the positive rate of PET/CT diagnosis is 50%-60%, providing strong evidence for early clinical intervention in AD.
If you notice suspicious symptoms such as memory loss in yourself, or if your family members have similar conditions, or if there is a relevant family history, it is recommended that you go to a professional medical institution for an examination, conduct a precise "physical examination" for your brain health, detect problems early, and intervene early to lead a better life.
Expert Introduction
Editor | Huang Fei