OT: Brain Imaging for AD, NOT a breakthrough

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this came through on the fabulous oneclickgroup newsletter <http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk> to check it out/sign upWhy Eli Lilly's Alzheimer's Imaging Test- Amyvid- Is NO Breakthrough On

Friday, April 6, the FDA approved another of Eli Lilly's "breakthroughs" whose clinical value is questionable (at best). The focus, in this instance, is not a therapeutic intervention, but rather a

test using a radioactive imaging agent-- a dye, brand name, Amyvid (florbetapir)--which is to be used in brain PET scans to identify amyloid clumps. The presence of amyloid in the brains of Alzheimer's patients has been observed post mortem in autopsies. However, amyloid plaques have also been found in the brains of at least 20% of healthy elder adults with no cognitive problems. Thus, the finding of amyloids doesn't mean the person has Alzheimer's. In point of fact, Lilly admits in the drug's label that: “A positive Amyvid scan does not establish a diagnosis of AD or other cognitive disorder.†Furthermore, FDA acknowledges that most doctors are not trained to interpret brain scan results--raising further doubts about the justification for its marketing approval of Amyvid. The test will likely result in a high percentage of false-positives greatly expanding the number of peop

le mistakenly identified as having Alzheimer's. Such a flawed test is

of no clinical value--it will increase anxiety, add confusion for seniors and their families, and it will increase healthcare costs without any benefit for patients with Alzheimer's. full article here <http://www.ahrp.org/cms/content/view/842/9/> Liora Pearlman , ModeratorMom Please consider calling me at 5130 3931 or texting 139 1030 6022 if it is time sensitive.