FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital is proud to announce the availability of PET Amyvid brain scans, a cutting-edge diagnostic tool designed to detect beta-amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. This advanced imaging technology offers new hope for earlier and more accurate diagnosis, empowering patients and their families to make informed decisions about care and treatment.

“The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia requires a combination of history, exams, labs and imaging,” said Joshua Cho, M.D., interventional radiologist and nuclear medicine specialist with Pinehurst Radiology Associates, in a specialist. “While traditional imaging tools like MRI and CT focus primarily on anatomical markers, the PET Amyvid brain scan detects amyloid plaques, a biomarker strongly associated with Alzheimer’s. This capability sets it apart and gives us deeper insights into the disease.”

The PET Amyvid scan utilizes florbetapir, a synthetic compound that crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to amyloid plaques. 

“Florbetapir contains a radioactive isotope, F-18, which creates a signal detected by the PET scanner,” explained Dr. Cho in a press release. “This allows us to visualize the presence of plaques, although it doesn’t measure their quantity. It’s a significant step in understanding what’s happening in the brain.”

By identifying beta-amyloid plaques, the scan adds specificity to the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s

disease and can help clinicians make earlier and more informed decisions about treatment.

“This technology has the potential to improve outcomes,” said Dr. Cho in a press release. “If we can confirm the presence of amyloid plaques, we can start treatments earlier, which may help slow the progression of the disease.”

Moore Regional is one of only five hospitals in the state to offer PET Amyvid brain scans.

Patients experiencing persistent or progressive unexplained mild cognitive impairment should consult with their primary care provider or neurologist to determine if this scan is appropriate. A referral from a neurologist is required. For more information about imaging services available at FirstHealth, visit www.firsthealth.org/medical-care/imaging-radiology or call (866) 415-2778.