PRESS RELEASE: National Toll Free Hotline for PET Scans Debuts to Meet Growing Demand for Alzheimer's Diagnosis
Tuesday June 8, 12:06 pm ET
1-888-PET-4-YOU
Molecular Imaging Corporation, a Leading National Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Service Provider, Positions for
Impending Demand in Use of Positron Emission Tomography for Alzheimer's Patients by Setting up National Network for
Consumers
SAN DIEGO, June 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Due to the rising demand for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging to
diagnose Alzheimer's Disease, one of the nation's leading PET service providers, Molecular Imaging Corporation,
announced today the launch of a national toll free hotline, 1- 888-PET-4-YOU (1-888-738-4960), to assist people seeking
information about PET scans for themselves or loved ones. PET imaging can detect Alzheimer's in the very early stages
of the disease, years before traditional outward symptoms of dementia. Early detection makes it possible for doctors to
provide treatment therapies that can help slow the progression of Alzheimer's as well as many other diseases.
Molecular Imaging Corporation (MIC) provides state-of-the-art molecular imaging services with physicians, hospitals and
outpatient clinics in 18 states and providing services at more than 100 locations, MIC has created the hotline to
provide information for physicians and patients on how to acquire this diagnostic test as well as help callers locate
the nearest PET Imaging center. If callers are from an area in which MIC does not operate, the Company will direct them
to talk to their doctor about how to get an evaluation and give them name of the nearest PET diagnostic center chosen
from a national database of providers.
"PET Imaging can be combined with a careful clinical evaluation to detect Alzheimer's earlier than anything else
available. It is important to make sure information about this disease is made available to those Americans who are at
risk because of family history and age," said Dr. Mintun, Professor of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, at
Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri. "Diagnosis is only the first step, but a key first step.
We should not forget that there are treatment options available today for Alzheimer's Disease, and even better
treatments are on the way."
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a molecular medical imaging procedure that shows functional abnormalities based
on the metabolism of glucose in tissue. This ability to give a direct measure of the body's metabolic functions gives
PET many advantages over other diagnostic imaging techniques. Unlike conventional "anatomic" based imaging procedures
like CT, MRI and ultrasound, PET provides "functional" imaging. "Functional Imaging" can detect metabolic changes,
which may be precursors to disease. It can monitor response to treatment, as well as eliminate the need for costly
redundant testing or invasive surgical procedures.
Alzheimer's disease currently affects 4.5 million Americans, and that number is expected to rise dramatically as baby
boomers pass the age of 65 and life expectancy continues to rise. It is estimated that one in every ten people over the
age of 65 has Alzheimer's disease and 50% of people over the age of 85. It is projected that 27 million Americans will
suffer from Alzheimer's by the year 2050.
The only affirmative diagnosis for Alzheimer's disease currently is through an autopsy in which the buildup of beta-
amyloid plaque is measured in the brain. Because of the difficulty in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease many people who
have the disease are not diagnosed until much brain damage has been done. Lengthy exams and multiple tests of cognitive
and memory function are required to make the diagnosis in an early stage. However, PET scans, which can be completed in
less than 20 minutes, help the clinician make the diagnosis as early as possible -- and that means with a minimum of
damage.
With the ease and increasing accessibility of PET imaging services, people can begin to take steps to manage the
progression of their disease, get their affairs in order, begin existing therapies and participate in new clinical
trials.
"Over the past few years patients with serious medical disorders and their advocates have begun to understand and
appreciate the diagnostic value of a molecular imaging procedure like PET in detecting disease at the earliest stages,
many times before symptoms appear," stated Paul J. Crowe, CEO of Molecular Imaging Corporation. "This includes patients
with cancer, heart disease and functional disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. We receive many calls directly
from patients or their advocates asking us how and where they can get tested. We explain to them that the first step is
for them to speak directly with their family physician about their particular condition, and request the procedure
through their physician if it's appropriate for their condition."
"Unfortunately, Crowe continued, many physicians are currently not familiar enough with the procedure. Many have not
had any personal experience utilizing this new technology or worse don't have access to this imaging technology, and
without experience or access to the technology, many patients are never offered the procedure. We have now gone a step
further by providing an information hotline that is easily accessible for physicians and their patients."
Medicare reimbursement on the way
The majority of health benefit insurance companies currently authorizes and pays for molecular imaging diagnostic
testing, just as they do for MRI, CT and other radiology procedures, covering cancer, cardiology and neurological
disorders, such as Alzheimer's.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also currently provides reimbursement for PET for a range of cancer
and cardiology testing. Now, after reviewing case studies presented by physician luminaries, and at the request of
scores of congressional members, CMS is expected to decide soon whether to reimburse healthcare providers for PET
imaging in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. Should this occur as expected, it will enable millions of senior citizens to
be tested for Alzheimer's disease early and regularly. It will also provide an incentive for pharmaceutical companies
and research based institutions to develop a cure for this devastating and fatal illness.
"The anticipated Medicare reimbursement will make PET imaging more available for the population that needs it most,"
states Peter S. Conti, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Radiology, Clinical Pharmacy and Biomedical Engineering at the
University of Southern California, as well as Director of the USC PET Science Center. "People over 65 are the fastest
growing sector of the population and as the tools for diagnosis, treatment and possible prevention of Alzheimer's grow,
it is a logical step to include it in the spectrum of services paid for by Medicare.
About Molecular Imaging Corporation
Molecular Imaging Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: MLRI - News) is a leading national service provider of Positron
Emission Tomography ("PET") diagnostic imaging services. PET is a 3-Dimensional Full Body molecular imaging procedure
used to diagnose and stage disease and assess treatment outcomes for many cancers, cardiovascular disease and
neurological disorders. The Company operates both mobile and permanent (fixed) PET imaging facilities for hospitals,
diagnostic imaging centers and physician groups throughout the U.S. The Company's clinical web site,
http://www.PETadvances.com , addresses questions about the various cancers and how molecular imaging can assist and
benefit physicians and their patients. The Company's web site, http://www.molecularimagingcorp.com , addresses
questions about the Company's professional services and investor relations.
Source: Molecular Imaging Corporation
SOURCE: Yahoo News (press release)
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040608/nytu134_1.html
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