Afbeelden van amyloïdplaques in de hersenen met PET

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is neuropathologically characterized by the presence of senile plaques. The formation of these plaques is caused by the accumulation of amyloid-beta protein (Aβ), a process that begins decades before the onset of the first clinical symptoms. Senile plaques can be visualized by using positron emission tomography (PET) and the tracer ¹¹C-PIB. Such ‘amyloid imaging’ can contribute significantly to both early and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In the future, amyloid imaging could also be useful for selecting patients for clinical trials and in evaluating the effects of disease modifying agents tailored at lowering Aβ burden.

Conflict of interest: VUMC received financial support for A. Lammertsma and B. van Berckel from: ISAO (International Association for Alzheimer Research) and the American Health Assistance Foundation. In addition, VUMC received financial support for B. van Berckel from: Alzheimer Association, Centre for Translational Molecular Medicine. P. Scheltens is a member of the Supervisory Board of the ‘Hersenstichting’ (Brain Association) and is a consultant for Elan-Pfizer, Lundbeck, Nutricia and Genentech; has also lectured at Quintiles for which VUMC received financial support. A.A. Lammertsma received financial support for being a guest at scientific conferences. Financial support: none declared for this article.