Amyvid PET: Patient Information
Your doctor has recommended that you have an Amyvid PET scan to evaluate you for possible Alzheimer's disease and other causes of cognitive decline. Amyvid is the first FDA-approved imaging agent used to estimate the density of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain, which is an indicator of Alzheimer's disease, although such plaque may be present in patients who do not have Alzheimer's disease. Our experienced nuclear medicine imaging team is led by Louise Thomson, MD and Alessandro D'Agnolo, MD, co-chiefs of Nuclear Medicine.
Before Your Exam
- There are no pre-exam instructions.
- If your doctor gave you an order, please bring it with you.
- We want to make your waiting time as pleasant as possible. Consider bringing your favorite magazine, book or music player to help you pass the time.
- Please leave your jewelry and valuables at home.
- Directions and parking information
- Adler/Nail and Cedars-Sinai Research for Women's Cancers P.E.T. Center
During Your Exam
- Upon arrival, the technologist will explain your procedure and answer any questions you may have.
- You will receive an intravenous injection (in your vein) of a tracer dose of radioactive material.
- The level of radioactivity is extremely low and has no side effects.
- Approximately 30 minutes to one hour later, you will be brought into the exam room for the scan.
- Your scan will take approximately 20 minutes.
- During this time you will be required to lie flat on your back, without moving.
- Using a special nuclear medicine camera, pictures of your brain will be obtained. The camera does not produce any radiation; it simply detects and records the distribution of the radioactive material in your brain.
After Your Exam
- There are no post-exam instructions.
- Your study will be reviewed by an imaging physician specialist and the results sent to your physician. Your physician will discuss these results with you and explain what they mean in relation to your health.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 310-423-8000.