Amyloid PET imaging in clinical practice

Abstract

The introduction of Amyloid PET imaging enables in vivo detection of brain beta-amyloid deposition, one of the neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer disease. There is increasing evidence in support of the clinical utility of Amyloid PET with major studies demonstrating that Amyloid PET improves diagnostic accuracy, increases diagnostic certainty, and results in therapeutic changes. Appropriate use criteria have been developed by the Amyloid Imaging Taskforce (AIT), to guide clinicians by predefining certain scenarios in which amyloid PET would be justified. In this review we aim to provide a practical guide on how and when to use Amyloid PET based on the available research and our own experience. We discuss three main appropriate indications for Amyloid PET and illustrate with them with clinical cases. We stress the importance of a multidisciplinary approach when deciding which patients would benefit from Amyloid PET imaging. Finally, we highlight some practical points and common pitfalls in interpretation.