Not too many years ago, getting a reliable dementia diagnosis could be difficult, confusing and time consuming. Today, diagnosis has become much more accurate and often quicker through testing for biomarkers (organic/physiologic signs in the body) with a variety of tests using spinal fluid, PET scans and emerging blood tests.
Register by end of day TOMORROW, NOV. 2 for our Nov. 8 Science Night Community Dinner “Biomarkers: The Art & Science of Dementia Diagnosis and Care” to learn the latest about diagnosing dementia. You’ll hear from national and local researchers/physicians Keith N. Fargo, PhD, Director of Scientific Programs and Outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association, along with Kenneth Pugar, DO, from the Dayton Center for Neurological Disorders.
At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference held earlier this year, PET-scan related research was reported showing that 80 percent of individuals with cognitive impairment and their caregivers were receptive to undergoing a PET imaging study if it was recommended by their doctor, and clinicians would base decisions about future patient care on brain PET scan findings. Many study participants were frustrated by the lack of availability of brain amyloid PET scans in clinical practice. A separate analysis of Medicare claims data found that approximately 60 percent of dementia cases are missed in clinical practice, particularly cases of early dementia. Click here to read more about all of these studies. Also from the conference, a new study suggests a blood test measuring for levels of the toxic protein beta amyloid in the blood has the potential to identify those at most risk for dementia with 89 per cent accuracy. And early this year the FDA approved a genetic test to assess for Alzheimer’s and several other chronic diseases could be made available through a company called 23anME.
Drs. Pugar and Fargo will discuss all of this at our Science Night dinner, as well as the IDEAS Study (Imaging Dementia – Evidence of Amyloid Scanning), currently underway here in Dayton and nationwide to assess the effectiveness of PET scanning in diagnosing Alzheimer’s in an effort to encourage Medicare to pay for scans as part of routine diagnosis.
In addition, Wright State University researchers Jennifer Hughes, PhD, and Tanvi Banerjee, PhD, will review research on caregivers for those with dementia by examining the feasibility of using gaming technology that will ultimately assess task performance and stress among caregivers of dementia patients.
Music therapist Kendra Carson, MA, MT-BC, will lead an interesting discussion about the science behind music therapy and how it can helping dementia patients, based on her years of working with patients in assisted living and nursing homes.
National Geographic Photographer Gina Martin will show how dementia is being depicted in photography in an effort to bring visual understanding and dialogue to an often-hidden disease. Martin founded the Bob and Diane Fund in honor of her parents, to help bring awareness to dementia. The Fund gives grants to photographers who depict dementia in their work.
Join us for a fascinating evening! Click here to register by end of day Nov. 2. Questions? Call 937-610-7004 or email mvprograms@alz.org.
This event is made possible with support from Wayne and David Baller of the Baller Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.
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