Unlocking the Alzheimer’s Brain: How Radiological Tools and Biomarkers Hold the Key to Early Diagnosis and Decision-Making
Program Description
The age of disease-modifying therapy in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is now a reality with two amyloid beta targeting therapies (ATT) now approved. Both agents require early diagnosis and therapeutic initiation to exert their effects. Not only is imaging a key component for the diagnosis of AD and to determine ATT eligibility, but all ATTs have the potential for unique adverse effects called amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), necessitating frequent MRI monitoring and evaluation.
Such protocols are poised to increase the demand of radiologists and alter practice patterns for those who directly manage AD (e.g., neurologists) dramatically. However, as ARIA is novel and class specific, training in optimally monitoring and identifying ARIA is essential.
Through a combination of evidence-based presentations and patient case scenarios, this activity is designed to delve into the importance of radiologic tools needed to adapt to the changing landscape of AD diagnosis and management and best practices to integrate those tools into everyday clinical practice.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for radiologists, neuroradiologists, neurodegenerative disease specialists, general neurologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with early AD.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Evaluate the evolving role of imaging in the modern management of AD (e.g., diagnostic confirmation, ATT eligibility and monitoring) to ascertain how and where radiology can be best utilized
- Appraise the key techniques and considerations involved in evaluation of AD-specific imaging (e.g., amyloid/tau PET, volumetrics), as well as alternative testing modalities (e.g., CSF, serum) for confirmation of AD pathology to identify patients accurately and early in their disease course
- Identify the relationship between Aβ-ATT and ARIA as well as the radiological features associated with ARIA presentations to accurately interpret imaging findings and appropriately report them to referring physicians
- Become aware of potential pitfalls in ARIA imaging protocol and interpretation to more readily avoid errors and increase confidence in MRI findings
Marc Daniel Benayoun, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neuroradiology
Wake Forest Baptist Health
Winston-Salem, NC
Gloria Chiang, MD
Vice Chair, Clinical and Translational Research
Director, Brain Health Imaging Institute
Associate Professor, Neuroradiology
Department of Radiology
Weill Cornell Medicine/New York-Presbyterian Hospital
New York, NY
This activity is jointly provided by Medical Education Resources (MER) and Efficient LLC.
Joint Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Medical Education Resources (MER) and Efficient LLC. MER is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Designation Statement
Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships
Medical Education Resources ensures balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all our educational activities. In accordance with this policy, MER identifies relevant financial relationships with its instructors, content managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of an activity. Reported relevant financial relationships are mitigated by MER to ensure that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in an accredited continuing education activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. MER is committed to providing learners with high-quality accredited continuing education activities that promote improvements or quality in health care and not the business interest of an ineligible company.
Staff Disclosures
Efficient LLC and Medical Education Resources' planners and managers have no financial relationships to disclose.
Faculty Disclosures
Dr. Galvin reported the following financial relationships:
Consulting Fees: Alpha Cognition, Biogen, Cognivue, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Genentech/Roche, Otsuka
Dr. Benayoun has reported no financial relationships.
Dr. Chiang has reported no financial relationships.
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. The planners of this activity do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications. The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of the planners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Disclaimer
The content and views presented in this educational activity are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Medical Education Resources, Efficient LLC, and/or Eisai. The authors have disclosed if there is any discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA in their presentations. Before prescribing any medicine, primary references and full prescribing information should be consulted. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management.
Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Eisai.
Method of Participation
There are no fees for participating in and receiving credit for this activity. During the period April 15, 2024, through April 15, 2025, participants must 1) review the learning objectives and faculty disclosures; 2) complete the pre-activity questions; 3) watch the educational activity; 4) complete the posttest by recording the best answer to each question; and 5) complete the evaluation
A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form.
Media
Internet
Available Credit
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 1.00 Attendance