Are you or a loved-one experiencing Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia Symptoms?

Future Diagnostics Group can help. We are a Registered PET facility for the IDEAS Study- a study that utilizes a Beta-Amyloid PET scan to rule out Alzheimer’s Disease.

Press Release:

Future Diagnostics Group Participates in Largest Brain Amyloid Scan Research Study

Medicare to Cover Eligible Seniors for Amyloid PET Scans in Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Dementia

Joliet, IL– Future Diagnostics Group has been registered for the past year for amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging site in the $100 million Imaging Dementia—Evidence for Amyloid Scanning (IDEAS) Study (Ideas-Study.org). “Our site has completed over 150 scans to rule out Alzheimer’s Disease referred by our local Dementia specialists, it’s an exciting study to be able to offer patients to give them real answers and peace of mind,” says Malia Proskey, Marketing Director and Physician Liaison for Future diagnostics group. Future Diagnostics Group can offer Medicare-covered amyloid PET scans to study eligible Medicare patients who are referred by participating IDEAS dementia specialists (neurologists, psychiatrists and geriatric medicine physicians). The research study seeks to determine the clinical usefulness of PET imaging of brain amyloid deposits in the diagnosis of patients who are being evaluated for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

“Medicare will only cover these exams for seniors if done as part of clinical trial or data registry. Currently no private insurer covers amyloid PET scans for patients being evaluated for dementia or memory loss. I encourage local dementia specialists to review participation requirements, register for the trial and refer eligible patients to Future Diagnostics Group to get Medicare- covered amyloid PET scans that may better inform their care and future Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment,” said Malia Proskey, “We also accommodate patients under 65 years of age with the lowest costs for the scan in the state- along with a rebate for the isotope used to track the beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. We understand there are patients that are experiencing symptoms much younger than 65 and are not covered by Medicare.”

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease is complex. With no single test currently available, diagnosis is based on an individual’s history, physical examination and cognitive testing. Amyloid PET imaging represents a potential major advance in the assessment of people with cognitive impairment. The scan visualizes plaques present in the brain that are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells in Alzheimer’s. Before amyloid PET, these plaques could only be detected by examining the brain at autopsy. The IDEAS study will follow Medicare beneficiaries to determine if amyloid PET scans may help physicians make more informed treatment decisions.

“There has never been a study of this scale to evaluate the clinical value of brain amyloid imaging in diagnosing and caring for those affected by Alzheimer’s. The dementia specialists and facilities that register for the IDEAS Study will play an essential role in engaging the nearly 19,000 individuals needed in the study and carrying out the amyloid PET scans,” said Maria Carrillo, PhD, Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer and IDEAS Study investigator.

Patients cannot directly enroll in the IDEAS Study. IDEAS Study dementia specialists must enroll patients whose cases meet the study criteria and refer them to registered PET imaging facilities, such as Future Diagnostics Group, for an amyloid PET scan. These scans will be performed and interpreted by a nuclear medicine physician or radiologist who is registered to take part in the IDEAS Study. Results will be provided to the ordering doctor for disclosure to the patient and to support further diagnostic decisions. Scan results and diagnosis will be captured for the study.

The IDEAS Study is sponsored by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN), with funding and direction provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, the ACR and the manufacturers of the FDA-approved radiopharmaceuticals for amyloid imaging.

Step-by- step registration instructions are available for board-certified neurologists, psychiatrists and geriatric medicine physicians interested in enrolling eligible patients in the IDEAS Study.

 

Registered dementia specialists or patients interested in participating in the study may contact Julie Conklin at 815.730.3344 or jconklin@petmrct.com

Neurologists, Psychiatrists, or Geriatricians who are not yet enrolled in the study may contact Ashley Nevarez at anevarez@petmrct.com

Patients who are below Medicare age may still have access to the scan. For inquiries please contact Julie.