New detector drug could help Alzheimer's diagnosis

A drug that facilitates the detection of beta amyloid could enable doctors to diagnose Alzheimer's disease at an earlier juncture, according to a new study.

Beta amyloid is one of the primary hallmarks of the condition and if it can be identified before Alzheimer's develops the outcomes for patients could be much improved.

Researchers discovered that the drug florbetaben can act as a tracer for beta amyloid protein.

The discovery was made during a phase three study involving PET and MRI scans on more than 200 end-of-life patients.

During autopsy it was found that florbetaben successfully identified 77 per cent of positive Alzheimer's diagnoses and 94 per cent of negative cases.

A spokesperson from the Alzheimer's Society commented: "This drug research looks positive but was carried out in people with later stage Alzheimer's. We will need to see if it can be converted into a useable and cost effective diagnostic tool."

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