YOU KNOW THAT YOU’RE FORGETFUL AND CONFUSED. IT MAY BE TIME TO EXPLORE WHY
Losing your keys. Forgetting someone’s name. Finding yourself confused about a routine task. These may be common signs of normal aging—or they could be signs of thinking or memory issues.
Diagnosing potential causes of thinking or memory issues can be difficult, as many of these conditions have similar symptoms.
To evaluate what might be the problem, your doctor may run a few tests that assess your thinking, memory, and decision-making abilities.
As part of the clinical assessment, your doctor may also ask you to have an imaging test performed that detects whether there is a buildup of a protein called amyloid plaque in your brain.
WHAT IS AMYLOID?
- Amyloid is a protein that your body produces naturally
- This protein can clump together and create beta-amyloid plaques, which can block communication between signals in the brain
- While present in many people, scientists believe that the buildup of amyloid plaques may be associated with thinking or memory problems
- Amyloid plaques can accumulate for years before you start to experience thinking or memory issues
IN 2012, AMYVID BECAME THE FIRST FDA-APPROVED TEST FOR IMAGING BETA-AMYLOID IN THE BRAIN
Amyvid highlights beta-amyloid plaques that may be present in the brain using a tracer (radioactive fluorine). This is detected during a “PET” scan.
The Amyvid scan will be reviewed to determine whether a large amount of beta-amyloid plaques are present. Your doctor will consider your Amyvid scan results along with those from other tests to help understand the cause of your thinking or memory problems.
Is your Amyvid appointment already set? Prepare for your upcoming appointment with these helpful tips.
EXPLORE TIPSPET=positron emission tomography.
SELECT SAFETY INFORMATION
- Errors may happen when Amyvid scan images are read. In clinical studies, a scan read as negative, when it was actually positive, accounted for most of these errors. An Amyvid scan only indicates whether beta-amyloid plaques, which are a buildup of proteins in the brain, are present at the time of the scan. Even if the scan is negative, it is possible to develop plaques in the future.
- Amyvid, like other radioactive diagnostic agents, adds to overall, long-term combined radiation exposure. Long-term combined radiation exposure may increase risk of cancer.