Palos Community Hospital in Illinois will participate in a national Alzheimer’s study which will use a certain type of PET scan to help detect protein plaques found in the brain that play a role in contributing to the disease.
The Imaging Dementia Evidence for Amyloid Scanning (IDEAS) study began in February 2016 and researchers are hoping to have 18,000 patients participate nationwide. If the researchers are able to rule out Alzheimer's with the PET scan, patients may be able to get better treatment of other kinds of dementia.
The brain amyloid PET scan that is needed would cost $3,000 if not for this study. Medicare does not cover this type of scan and will only do so under the condition that the patient qualifies for the IDEAS study.
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Jodelle joined TriMed Media Group in 2016 as a senior writer, focusing on content for Radiology Business and Health Imaging. After receiving her master's from DePaul University, she worked as a news reporter and communications specialist.