Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Alzheimer's disease managementEnabling differential diagnosis and treatment monitoring
Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) today, and by 2050 this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million.听In recent years, the burden of Alzheimer鈥檚 has increased more dramatically in the United States than the burden of other diseases.1 As such, significant efforts are being made by the pharmaceutical industry to develop therapeutics that slow progression, and improve cognitive and behavioral symptoms of AD.
In July 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the first time gave traditional approval to a beta amyloid-directed antibody for the treatment of AD. Previously, about two years ago another beta amyloid-directed antibody had received accelerated approval by the FDA. With such Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) entering the clinic, the potential to improve patient care and possibly slow disease progression is big.
Alzheimer's disease and beta amyloid plaque accumulation
In a healthy brain, beta amyloid protein fragments are broken down and removed from the brain. In a brain with AD, beta amyloid protein fragments accumulate to form hard, insoluble plaques in between neurons. Beta amyloid plaque buildup in the brain is often an early indicator of AD.听
Healthy brain
Beta amyloid protein fragments are broken down and removed from the brain
Alzheimer's disease
Beta amyloid protein fragments accumulate to form hard, insoluble plaques between neurons
How a Disease Modifying Therapy works
This family of treatments target the pathology of Alzheimer鈥檚 disease by reducing the beta amyloid plaques that typically accumulate in the brains of AD patients. Clinical studies have demonstrated that reduction of brain amyloid levels reduces cognitive and functional decline in patients living with early AD.2.3
Beta amyloid protein accumulates around brain neurons in Alzheimer's
DMT antibody binds to beta amyloid protein
Antibody attracts immune cells to break down the protein
Less beta amyloid protein around neuron
Side effects of Disease Modifying Therapies
While disease-modifying therapies have proved clinically effective in reducing deposition of amyloid in the brain and slowing disease progress, clinical trials have shown that these therapies can be associated with amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA).4 With clinical symptoms ranging from mild and asymptomatic to symptomatic and life-threatening, ARIA safety monitoring through regular brain MRI scans is an important part of care management for patients treated with beta amyloid-directed monoclonal antibodies. ARIA is subdivided into two categories: ARIA-E, characterized by edema and/or sulcal effusions, and ARIA-H, characterized by microhemorrhages and/or superficial siderosis.
Enabling the AD care pathway
Equipping you with the tools for early detection of AD, differential diagnosis of AD, and treatment monitoring of side effects of DMTs.
Atrophy Detection
Differential Diagnosis and Therapy Eligibility
Treatment Monitoring
Atrophy Detection
The hippocampus is one of the brain areas affected by Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease. In the early stages of AD, the hippocampus shows rapid loss of its tissue, which is associated with the functional disconnection with other parts of the brain. In the progression of AD, atrophy of medial temporal and hippocampal regions are the structural markers in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).5 AIRC Brain MR could help atrophy detection in "few brain areas" potentially related to early AD detection.
Segmentation
AI-Rad Companion Brain MR performs听
an automatic segmentation of different brain structures, including an individual volumetric analysis.
Highlighting
AI-Rad Companion Brain MR compares the different volumes to a normative database and automatically generates听
a highlighted deviation map based on user settings.
Reporting
Automatic report with quantitative detailed results for each brain structure听
in a result table. Comparison of current and prior data sets to help in tracking progression.
Differential Diagnosis and Therapy Eligibility
Brain MRI scans are used to rule out other possible intracranial pathologies including brain tumors, stroke, subdural hematoma, and other conditions.
MRI also plays a critical role in determining treatment eligibility with a monoclonal antibody-based therapy. A recent (within one year) brain MRI is required prior to initiating treatment to evaluate for pre-existing Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities.6
Treatment Monitoring
MRI is the diagnostic tool of choice for detecting ARIA and regular MR scans are recommended for patients undergoing monoclonal antibody-based therapy to monitor for ARIA. Monoclonal antibody clinical trials听used T2-FLAIR for detection of ARIA-E and T2* GRE for detection of ARIA-H. Additionally, in case of stroke like symptoms, DWI helps to determine if the root cause is ischemia or ARIA.6,7
Every MAGNETOM scanner offers T2 FLAIR, T2*, and DWI
Solutions
Higher MRI volume is expected to increase as a result of clinical implementation of monoclonal antibody-based therapies. With increased MRI procedure volume, the need to reduce the stress on the MRI staff, and more importantly reduce the time that the patient is on the exam table, is paramount. Beneath we showcase solutions that can quickly make a positive impact to your workflow and the MR patient experience.
Solutions to speed up scan times
Deep Resolve
Deep Resolve has multiple techniques to enable faster scans and improve image quality, including the AI powered Deep Resolve Sharp with Deep Resolve Boost that take advantage of convolutional neural networks to enable faster MR scans, e.g. 70% scan time reduction for brain imaging.
Tim 4G Technology
Delivering 4G Flexibility, 4G Accuracy and 4G Speed.
- Up to 204 coil elements. Up to 128 RF channels.
- Exceptional SNR and image quality with high channel coils and the unique RF architecture enabling DirectRF for true signal purity.
- Excellent image quality with up to 40% reduced scan times.
Solutions to help with Workflow
BioMatrix Technology
Patients have unique, individual characteristics鈥攂iovariability. Different physiologies and anatomies鈥攁nd how each patient interacts with the MRI technology鈥攎ay cause variations in the imaging results. BioMatrix Technology helps to overcome these challenges by automatically adjusting to patient biovariability. By embracing human nature in this way, we can personalize the MRI examination and help expand precision medicine.
The three key pillars of the BioMatrix family that drive consistency and efficiency in the face of biovariability are BioMatrix Sensors, BioMatrix Tuners and BioMatrix Interfaces.
myExam Brain Assist
myExam Brain Assist Companion breaks down the barriers of complex MRI operations using a new philosophy on how to operate MRI. It leverages the new possibilities of digitalization and AI, to turn data into integrated expertise and tailored assistance.
- Users benefit from flexible and guided exam workflows
- Predefined and adjustable exam strategies
- AutoAlign, AutoCoverage, and AutoFoV, for consistent slice or volume coverage and orientation
Improving the MRI patient experience with comfort and entertainment
Most patients who undergo an MRI scan experience some level of anxiety. Help patients overcome anxiety by turning MRI into a comfortable, fast, and entertaining experience.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Explore how our solutions improve the MRI patient experience with augmented reality (AR). Configure the solutions in your environment and display them in life size directly on your smart mobile device.
Relaxing Atmosphere
Patients arriving for an MRI examination are often anxious and stressed. Help them relax the minute they enter the room with our scanner MoodLight. You can also design a calming theme for your scan room using scanner skins, projections, or wall coverings.
Quiet Suite
Offer patients quiet examinations of the brain without compromising image quality or scan time. Quiet Suite benefits your patients by providing a 99% reduction in sound pressure for neurological MRI exams.
