Brain Imaging and
Early Detection of AD
University of Wisconsin researchers
Amyloid Imaging
in People at Risk
for Alzheimer’s
Disease
are utilizing several methods of
neuroimaging,
including
“functional” MRI, “perfusion”
MRI, and PET to study the areas
of the brain that are most often com-
An Invitation to
Participate in
Research
promised early in the course of Alzheimer’s Disease. By combining this
new technology with other clinical information, we will gain a better understanding of
the processes underlying the learning and
memory problems in Alzheimer’s Disease.
We hope this information will help us detect
the disease earlier and provide a way to monitor brain changes associated with disease progression and treatment.
Wisconsin Comprehensive
Memor y Program
University of Wisconsin and
Wm S. Middleton VA GRECC
2500 Overlook Terrace
Madison, WI 53705
Phone: 608-263-2582
Toll Free: 1-866-MEM-PROG
Fax: 608-280-7165
Email: fMRI@medicine.wisc.edu
Website: www.brainmap.wisc.edu
The WCMP is affiliated with the University
of Wisconsin Dept of Medicine and the
Wm. S. Middleton VA GRECC.
Wisconsin
Comprehensive
Memor y Program
608-263-2582
What is PET Imaging?
Positron emission tomography (PET) is
an imaging tool that was first developed
in the 1950s and has been used for decades in the diagnosis and research of
various diseases and conditions. A radioactive substance is injected into the
body and temporarily binds to tissue in
the area of the body that will be studied.
A PET scanner detects the radiation released from the radioactive particles
(called positrons) and produces an image.
Study Description
What Will I Be Asked to Do?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) likely begins its degenerative process several years prior to the
onset of clinical symptoms such as memory
loss. One of the features of AD is a buildup
of amyloid plaques. Until recently, amyloid
plaques could only be seen after death at autopsy. However, a new compound, Pittsburgh Compound B, has been developed to
safely detect amyloid in living people. We
will be using this imaging method in healthy
adults to see if amyloid accumulates in people with certain risk factors for AD, such as
family history. It may be that this research
will eventually help diagnose AD earlier so
that treatments can begin sooner.
Participants will be asked to attend two visits within two weeks.
Who Can Participate?
We are currently recruiting:
•
•
The brain images above were produced by two different
types of imaging tools. The MRI image on the left
simply shows the brain tissue in a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The PET image on the right
was produced using the amyloid imaging compound,
Pittsburgh Compound B, injected into the same person
with AD. The compound binds to the amyloid plaque
and is detected by the PET scanner. The areas with
the most compound—and, therefore, the most amyloid—appear red.
Volunteers ages 50-85 with or without a
family history of Alzheimer’s Disease
Volunteers with a diagnosis of mild Alzheimer’s Disease
Wisconsin Comprehensive
Memory Program
Phone: 608-263-2582
Toll Free: 1-866-MEM-PROG
Fax: 608-280-7165
Email: fMRI@medicine.wisc.edu
Website: www.brainmap.wisc.edu
Visit 1 takes less than 3.5 hours and includes PET and MRI scans. Participants
with Alzheimer’s disease will be asked to
take a brief cognitive test (15 minutes).
Visit 2 will take 2 hours and includes another PET scan.
All participants will be compensated for
their time and travel.
Is this Technology Safe?
PET imaging involves exposure to small
amounts of ionizing radiation (the total for
this study is approximately three times the
amount of radiation you receive each year
from living on this planet), but the dose is
well below federal guidelines. The compounds have been tested to be safe to humans and clear rapidly from the body. Persons with MRI-incompatible devices or implants are not advised to undergo MRI.
What if I Change My Mind?
Participation in this research is entirely voluntary and you may discontinue at any time.