CSF Testing & PET Scans

Traditional Diagnostic Modalities

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers and amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scans are long-standing, commonly used diagnostic modalities that can be used concordantly to improve diagnostic accuracy for patients.

PET Considerations

Amyloid PET scans are the current gold standard in diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease.

PET scans are unique because they provide direct visual evidence of amyloid plaque on the brain. However, cost and accessibility continue to serve as barriers to care for many.

Discover brain imaging resources and find an amyloid imaging site here.

CSF Considerations

CSF tests offer reliable data for early Alzheimer’s detection.

CSF tests are widely adopted in clinical settings – they are often more readily available and less expensive than PET scans. However, they are more invasive for patients, requiring a spinal tap, which limits their broad use.

CSF and PET Will Always Have a Place in the Diagnostic Landscape – But There’s Demand for More Diagnostic Modalities

Despite their strengths, limitations in capacity, potential financial burden, and long wait times for CSF and PET create an opportunity in the diagnostic landscape for additional, innovative tests and assessments to drive early, accurate diagnoses.