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. 2013;33(2):445-50.
doi: 10.3233/JAD-2012-121216.

Dementia specialists and early adoption of amyloid imaging

Eran P Klein  1 , Jeffrey Kaye
Affiliations

Dementia specialists and early adoption of amyloid imaging

Eran P Klein et al. J Alzheimers Dis. 2013.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to describe the attitudes of U.S. neurologists specializing in dementia toward the use of amyloid imaging in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A cross-sectional electronic physician survey of dementia specialists at U.S. medical schools was performed. The response rate for the survey was 51.9% (135/260). Greater than 83% of respondents plan to use amyloid imaging to evaluate patients for AD. Most respondents intend to use amyloid imaging as an adjunctive diagnostic modality to confirm (77%) or rule-out (73%) a diagnosis of AD; 24% plan to use amyloid imaging to screen asymptomatic individuals for evidence of cerebral amyloid. Specialists who do not intend to use amyloid imaging (16%) express concern about the cost (73%), the usefulness (55%), and likelihood of patient (55%) and clinician (59%) misinterpretation of findings. The need for patient pre-test counseling was endorsed by a large percentage (92%) of dementia specialists (higher than for genetic testing (82%)). In conclusion, dementia specialists, particularly young specialists, are likely to be early adopters of amyloid imaging. Assuming ready availability, this new technology would be used as a confirmatory test in the evaluation of AD, as well as a screening tool for asymptomatic pathology. Specialists recognize the complexity of interpreting amyloid imaging findings and the need for patient counseling before undergoing testing.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Indications for Use of Amyloid Imaging
Respondents who indicated that they intended to use amyloid imaging to diagnose or predict Alzheimer disease (n=117) were asked “I will use amyloid imaging to:” Respondents were allowed to choose more than one indication.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Influence on self and other clinician use of amyloid imaging
Respondents were asked to identify influences on their own intended us of amyloid imaging and to identify influences on the use of amyloid imaging generally. Respondents were allowed to choose more than one influence for each question.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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