Should we disclose amyloid imaging results to cognitively normal individuals?

Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2013 Feb;3(1):43-51. doi: 10.2217/nmt.12.75.

Abstract

Demonstration of brain accumulation of fibrillar amyloid beta protein via positron emission tomography (PET) with amyloid specific ligands may support the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is increasing recognition of the potential use of amyloid imaging to detect in vivo the pathology of AD in individuals with no ostensible cognitive impairment. Research use of amyloid PET in cognitively normal patients will be key to pursuit of therapies able to delay cognitive impairment and dementia due to AD. We review the pros and cons of disclosing amyloid imaging results to cognitively normal individuals in clinical and research settings and provide draft recommendations.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; amyloid PET; disclosure; ethics.