ACR and Alzheimer's Association Lead Trial to Inform Medicare Brain Amyloid Imaging Coverage

A new four-year research study, with an estimated budget of $100 million, was announced April 16 by the Alzheimer's Association and the American College of Radiology (ACR). The Imaging Dementia - Evidence for Amyloid Scanning (IDEAS) Study will determine the clinical usefulness and value in diagnosing Alzheimer's and other dementias in certain situations of a brain positron emission tomography (PET) scan that detects a core feature of Alzheimer's disease. The IDEAS Study will assess the impact of brain amyloid PET imaging on a variety of patient outcomes. The study protocol received approval with requirements by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Participating providers will be reimbursed for the PET scans under the CMS Coverage with Evidence Development (CED) policy that requires research study participation as a condition of Medicare payment. IDEAS is led by the Alzheimer's Association and managed by the ACR and American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN). Why the IDEAS Study Is Needed Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells in Alzheimer's. The plaques are deposits of a protein fragment called amyloid-beta that build up in the spaces between nerve cells. Amyloid PET imaging represents a potential major advance in the clinical assessment of people with cognitive impairment. The technology makes amyloid plaques light up on a brain PET scan, enabling for the first time accurat...
Source: American College of Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: news