Certain chemical markers bind with dense beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan can detect these markers, permitting in vivo mapping of plaque number and distribution.
Markers include:
(1) [18F]-FDDNP = 2-(1-{6-[(2-[F-18]fluroethyl)(methyl)amino]-2-naphthyl}ethylidene)malononitrile
(2) [11C]-PIB = [11C]-6-OH-BTA-1 = N-methyl[11C]2-(4'methylaminophenyl)-6-hydroxy-benzothiazole = Pittsburgh compound B = derivative of thioflavin T
(3) [11C]-SB-13 = 4-N-[11C-methyl]amino-4'-hydroxystilbene = a derivative of Congo Red
(4) [18F]-BAY94-9172 = trans-4-(N-methyl-amino)-4L'-{2-[2-(2-[18F]fluro-ethoxy)-ethoxyl-ethoxy}-stilbene
(5) BF-227 = 2-(2-[2-dimethylaminothiazol-5-yl]ethenyl)-6-(2-[fluoro]ethyoxy)benzoxazole
Indications:
(1) diagnosis or exclusion of early Alzheimer's disease in a patient with mild cognitive impairment
(2) differentiating between different types of dementia, especially if mixed
(3) monitoring response to therapy
(4) monitoring disease progression over time
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