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A national policy that limited the use of a type of brain scan called positron emission tomography (PET) to detect symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease has been eliminated, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said Friday. USA
The cause of this memory-robbing disease, which affects more than 6 million people in the United States, is unknown. However, one of the main effects of the disease is the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles that affect the neurons that transmit information. Doctors use PET scans to detect this buildup.
The only treatment fully approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for Alzheimer’s is Eisai (OTCPK:ESALF) (OTCPK:ESAIY) and Biogen’s (BIIB) Leqembi, which works by reducing existing brain amyloid plaque. Shares of Biogen (BIIB) rose only slightly in afternoon trading.
“(CMS is) ending evidence development (CED) coverage for positron emission tomography (PET) amyloid beta imaging and allowing Medicare coverage determinations for PET amyloid beta imaging to be made by Medicare administrative contractors,” the federal agency said in a statement.
The change will eliminate the current limit of one PET scan per patient for amyloid beta imaging.
The Alzheimer’s Association, a major donor-supported voluntary health organization, applauded the CMS action.
“Amyloid PET scans are a proven tool and can be an important part of the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s. Wider access to amyloid PET scans will allow for earlier, more accurate diagnosis and better management of care.” , María Carrillo, scientific director of the Alzheimer’s Association. , she said in a statement.
The Alzheimer’s disease space was already in the spotlight on Friday, courtesy of Cassava Sciences (SAVA), whose shares fell nearly 13% following a 38% drop in extended trading on Thursday. The decline came after a report that a researcher working on behalf of the company was found to have engaged in scientific misconduct regarding data on SAVA’s prized simufilam, an Alzheimer’s asset.
Shares of other companies working on Alzheimer’s treatments had mixed results: Longeveron (LGVN) +4.2%BioVie (BIVI) +1.7%INmune Bio (INMB) -2.8%Protein (PRTA) -3%Annovis Bio (ANVS) -5.8%.
