We cordially invite you to join the Clinical Use of Blood Biomarkers in the Era of Disease Modifying Treatments for Early Symptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease scheduled to take place virtually on March 26, 2024.
The availability of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has greatly increased the need for clinical AD biomarker testing, which is helpful in determining whether cognitive impairment is caused by AD brain pathology or some other condition. Biomarker evidence of amyloid pathology is essential before the initiation of AD DMTs. This webinar will review the types of AD biomarker tests that are clinically available, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and AD blood tests.
Currently, CSF biomarkers are the most commonly used AD biomarker modality in the clinic, but there is limited availability of providers skilled in performing lumbar puncture (LP) to collect CSF, some patients refuse LP due to perceived invasiveness, and LP is inadequately reimbursed. Amyloid PET was previously not covered by insurers outside of clinical trials. While there may be improved coverage of amyloid PET in the future, it remains an expensive procedure with a substantial co-pay for many patients, and PET requires highly specialized equipment and personnel, which will likely limit its use.