A memory or thinking test can tell a doctor if you have cognitive impairment. However, it cannot tell your doctor the cause of the problem.
An image of the brain, or a “scan,” gives your doctor a non-invasive way to look inside the brain to see what might be causing memory and thinking problems.
The most common cause of cognitive impairment due to a neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In AD, sticky clumps of protein called beta(β)‐amyloid plaques build up in the brain, affecting the way the brain works.
Neuraceq® is a radioactive tracer. It is designed to stick to β-amyloid neuritic plaques in the brain for a short time. When used with PET scanning to create an image of your brain, Neuraceq® can reveal the presence or absence of β-amyloid plaque.
A memory or thinking test can tell a doctor if you have cognitive impairment. However, it cannot tell your doctor the cause of the problem.
An image of the brain, or a “scan,” gives your doctor a non-invasive way to look inside the brain to see what might be causing memory and thinking problems.
The most common cause of cognitive impairment due to a neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In AD, sticky clumps of protein called beta(β)‐amyloid plaques build up in the brain, affecting the way the brain works.
Neuraceq® is a radioactive tracer. It is designed to stick to β-amyloid neuritic plaques in the brain for a short time. When used with PET scanning to create an image of your brain, Neuraceq® can reveal the presence or absence of β-amyloid plaque.
A Neuraceq® PET scan involves an injection into a vein in your arm and a short scan. After the injection, some saline solution (salt water) may be injected to help the Neuraceq® move more quickly through the bloodstream.
The Neuraceq® injection is given through an IV (intravenous) tube
The Neuraceq® PET scan can be done 45 to 130 minutes after injection and usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes
During the scan, you will lie down on a table while the PET-scanner camera passes overhead
After the scan, an imaging specialist will view the results, write a report, and send it to your doctor
A Neuraceq® PET scan involves an injection into a vein in your arm and a short scan. After the injection, some saline solution (salt water) may be injected to help the Neuraceq® move more quickly through the bloodstream.
The Neuraceq® injection is given through an IV (intravenous) tube
The Neuraceq® PET scan can be done 45 to 130 minutes after injection and usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes
During the scan, you will lie down on a table while the PET-scanner camera passes overhead
After the scan, an imaging specialist will view the results, write a report, and send it to your doctor
During your follow-up appointment, your doctor will review your Neuraceq® PET scan along with results from other tests to figure out whether your cognitive impairment may be due to AD or something else.
Here are some things to help to prepare for your appointment and questions to ask in order to understand the results of your scan. You may want to consider asking a friend or family member to support you.
If you have not found the information you need on this website, or want more information about Neuraceq®, please speak with your doctor and refer to the Full Prescribing Information.
You can also contact us at:
Life Molecular Imaging
75 State Street, Floor 1
Boston, MA 02109
Phone: 617-725-0070
General Information: info@life-mi.com
Adverse Event Reporting: You are encouraged to report side effects of Neuraceq® by calling 1-855-545-5245. Suspected adverse reactions can also be reported directly to the FDA by visiting MedWatch or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
Your doctor will use your Neuraceq® PET scan results, along with other tests and observations, to help make a diagnosis. A negative scan is not consistent with a diagnosis of AD and allows your doctor to explore other possible causes of your memory or thinking problems. A positive Neuraceq® PET scan reveals the presence of β-amyloid plaques in the brain. β-amyloid plaques are sticky clumps of protein that are a key indicator of AD, but are also sometimes seen in other diseases and in healthy people without memory problems.
Neuraceq® alone does not diagnose AD, it should be used in conjunction with other tests done by your doctor to make a diagnosis. Having a diagnosis allows you (and/or your loved one) to be involved in planning the path forward. Being able to participate early in the planning of care and other important decisions, such as finances, allows you to have more control in making the decisions that are right for you.
Only your doctor can determine if a Neuraceq® PET scan is appropriate for you.
Risk for Image Misinterpretation and Other Errors
Neuraceq® can be used to estimate the density of β-amyloid neuritic plaque deposition in the brain. Neuraceq® is an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations. Neuraceq® images should be interpreted independent of a patient’s clinical information. Physicians should receive training prior to interpretation of Neuraceq® images. Following training, image reading errors (especially false positive) may still occur. Additional interpretation errors may occur due to, but not limited to, motion artifacts or extensive brain atrophy.
Radiation Risk
Administration of Neuraceq®, similar to other radiopharmaceuticals, contributes to a patient’s overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure. Long-term cumulative radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancer. It is important to ensure safe handling to protect patients and health care workers from unintentional radiation exposure.
Most Common Adverse Reactions
In clinical trials, the most frequently observed adverse drug reactions in 872 subjects with 1090 Neuraceq® administrations were injection/application site erythema (1.7%), injection site irritation (1.1%), and injection site pain (3.4%).
