Amyvid is used to estimate beta-amyloid neuritic plaque density in adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other causes of cognitive decline. Amyvid is an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations.3
- 70-year-old retired music teacher* who continues to volunteer at schools
- Enjoys collecting vintage records and started dance lessons with his wife
- Concerned about gradually losing memory and his ability to volunteer
- Proactively brings up memory slips with his doctor
- Motivated to keep his lifestyle and spend quality time with his wife
- Has undergone initial workup (labs, cognitive assessment, MRI, etc)
- MoCA 24/30 with errors in recall, calculation, attention, and visuospatial skills
*Hypothetical patient.
Clinical Assessment: Progressive MCI
Medical history is remarkable for hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and gout. No previous stroke symptoms
Normal physical and neurological exams
Routine lab tests normal, as well as B12, folate, and TSH
Structural MRI outcomes: small bilateral lacunar infarcts, small vessel ischemic changes, and age-appropriate atrophy
An Amyvid PET scan is ordered due to the progressive nature of Paul’s cognitive decline and uncertain diagnosis
Amyvid PET Scan Imaging Report
NEGATIVE SCAN†
SELECT IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
Risk for Image Misinterpretation and Other Errors
Errors may occur during Amyvid image interpretation. Image interpretation should be performed independently of the patient’s clinical information. Amyvid scan results are indicative of plaque content only at the time of image acquisition and a negative scan does not preclude the development of brain amyloid in the future.
PROCEDURE: BRAIN AMYLOID PET/CT SCAN
HISTORY: Cognitive impairment
COMPARISON: None
RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL: 10mCi Amyvid (florbetapir F 18)
TECHNIQUE: PET/CT imaging was performed 30-50 minutes following the intravenous administration of 10mCi Amyvid (florbetapir F 18). Images were obtained from the level of the vertex to the base of the skull. Axial, sagittal, and coronal PET reconstructions were acquired.
Corresponding CT images were reviewed in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. CT scan was a limited noncontrast study and used for anatomical correlation and attenuation correction.
COMMENT: There is no increased tracer uptake seen in the cortical cerebral gray matter. The brain shows normal gray-white contrast throughout. The cerebellum has no evidence of abnormal uptake.
Tracer distribution is otherwise unremarkable.
CT (NONDIAGNOSTIC, PERTINENT FINDINGS ONLY): There is mild cerebral volume loss without midline shift or mass effect.
IMPRESSION: Negative scan, indicating sparse to no beta-amyloid neuritic plaques
NOTE: Amyvid is a radioactive diagnostic agent for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the brain to estimate beta-amyloid neuritic plaque density in adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of cognitive decline.
A negative Amyvid scan indicates sparse to no neuritic plaques and is inconsistent with a neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease at the time of image acquisition; a negative scan result reduces likelihood that a patient’s cognitive impairment is due to Alzheimer’s disease. A positive Amyvid scan indicates moderate to frequent amyloid neuritic plaques; neuropathological examination has shown this amount of amyloid neuritic plaque is present in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, but may be also present in patients with other types of neurologic conditions as well as older patients with normal cognition. Amyvid is an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations.
LIMITATIONS OF USE:
- A positive Amyvid scan does not establish a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other cognitive disorder
-
Safety and effectiveness of Amyvid have not been established for:
- Predicting development of dementia or other neurologic condition
- Monitoring response to therapies
Example of a negative Amyvid PET scan imaging report.
CT=computed tomography; MCI=mild cognitive impairment; MoCA=Montreal Cognitive Assessment; PET=positron emission tomography.
†Amyvid PET scans are interpreted independently of the patient’s clinical information.
The objective of Amyvid image interpretation is to provide an estimate of the brain beta-amyloid neuritic plaque density, not to make a clinical diagnosis. Image interpretation is performed independently of a patient’s clinical features and relies upon the recognition of unique image features. Image interpretation should be performed independently of the patient’s clinical information. The use of clinical information in the interpretation of Amyvid images has not been evaluated and may lead to errors.3
Learn about the importance of AD pathology
ACT EARLYReferences:
- Gauthier S, Rosa-Neto, P, Morais JA, et al. World Alzheimer Report 2021: Journey Through the Diagnosis of Dementia. London, England: Alzheimer’s Disease International; 2021. Accessed January 25, 2023. https://www.alzint.org/u/World-Alzheimer-Report-2021.pdf
- DiBenedetti DB, Slota C, Wronski SL, et al. Assessing what matters most to patients with or at risk for Alzheimer’s and care partners: a qualitative study evaluating symptoms, impacts, and outcomes. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2020;12(1):90. doi: 10.1186/s13195-020-00659-6
- Amyvid (florbetapir F 18 injection). Prescribing Information. Lilly USA, LLC.