NorCal Imaging to Offer New Alzheimer’s Disease Imaging Technique
Walnut Creek, Calif., July 30, 2012 – NorCal Imaging, a division of RadNet, Inc., a national market leader providing high-quality, cost-effective diagnostic imaging services through a network of 237 fully-owned and operated outpatient imaging centers, announced it will offer Amyvid™, a radioactive tracer used in positron emission tomography – computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging, at it’s Walnut Creek location. Amyvid is the first test that can effectively rule out Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in patients who are being evaluated for cognitive impairment.
Every patient with AD has increased levels of β-amyloid plaque deposits in the brain at autopsy. Amyvid binds to β-amyloid plaque and allows a PET/CT image to detect their presence. A positive Amyvid scan indicates moderate to frequent β-amyloid plaques are present. While this amount of β-amyloid plaque is present in patients with AD, it is also found in patients with other types of neurologic conditions and in older people with normal cognition.
“A negative Amyvid scan provides persuasive evidence AD is not the cause for a patient’s observed cognitive decline,” said Dr. Judith Rose, director of PET/CT and nuclear medicine for RadNet. “This imaging technique will allow researchers to design more selective clinical trials for the next generation of treatment options.”
Prior to the release of Amyvid PET/CT imaging, physicians had limited tools to definitively diagnose a patient with AD. More than 20 percent of AD cases are currently misdiagnosed. AD is the sixth leading cause of death in the US. Among the top 10 causes of death, AD is the only one that cannot be medically cured, prevented or slowed down. Between 2000 and 2008 the United States saw a 66 percent rise in deaths caused by AD.
“While this new diagnostic tool cannot confirm an AD diagnosis it allows physicians to identify and treat patients for other causes of cognitive impairment if they have a negative Amyvid scan,” said NorCal Imaging Neuroradiologist Dr. Tereasa Simonson. “Our patients in Walnut Creek will have a unique opportunity to benefit from the latest technological development in PET/CT imaging.”
About NorCal Imaging
For over 20 years, NorCal Imaging has been a proud provider of advanced imaging services in Contra Costa County — serving the needs of the immediate and surrounding communities. A complete range of advanced imaging services are available to include the new GE 750W High Field Wide Bore 3T MRI, CT, PET/CT, Nuclear Medicine, Digital Mammography, Digital x-ray and DEXA (Bone Densitometry).
Previously known as Pacific Imaging, NorCal Imaging provides services in six state-of-the-art locations. NorCal Imaging has the expertise of 10 board certified subspecialty trained radiologists who are recognized by the medical community for their leadership, outstanding reputation and high standard of radiology services and patient care.
About RadNet, Inc.
RadNet, Inc. is a national leader in providing high-quality, cost-effective, fixed-site outpatient diagnostic imaging services through a network of 237 owned and/or operated outpatient imaging centers (inclusive of 23 facilities held in joint ventures). RadNet’s core markets include California, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Jersey and New York. Together with affiliated radiologists, and inclusive of full-time and per diem employees and technicians, RadNet has a total of approximately 6,300 employees. For more information, visit RadNet.com.