The Clarion-Ledger

Mississippi

Hattiesburg Clinic’s Memory Center and Imaging departments are partnering to on a study aimed at improving the method of care for people with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Imaging Dementia – Evidence for Amyloid Scanning Study goes by the acronym IDEAS.

It focuses on brain images that may help physicians diagnose Alzheimer’s disease sooner. Images of the brain are taken via amyloid PET scans. These images show physicians if there is a significant amount of amyloid plaque build-up, which Dr. Ronald L. Schwartz says could be a strong indicator of a person eventually being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“There has been new evidence revealing that amyloid build-up over time could lead to Alzheimer’s disease,” Schwartz, director and principal investigator at Memory Center, said in a news release. “Amyloid plaques are sticky clumps of protein in the brain, which are associated with this disease. Whether or not these plaques are present could help us determine the likelihood that a patient’s symptoms are caused by Alzheimer’s disease.”

PET imaging will highlight any plaque present. A follow-up visit will be scheduled with the patient, during which the specialist will discuss the scan results and use that information in helping the patient plan his or her future.

“Ultimately, the goal is to show how important the PET scans are in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease,” Schwartz said. “Although there is no cure yet, early treatment can slow the progression of the disease, and that is the standard of care we are aiming for through this study.”

To learn more about the IDEAS Study, including eligibility requirements, visit www.hattiesburgclinic.com/memorycenter, or call 1-877-91-MEMORY (1-877-916-3667).