For the first time, researchers in Perth will now have access to an innovative medical solution that can assist in the early identification of Alzheimer's disease, thanks to a five-year, $20 million strategic alliance between GE Australia and CSIRO.
GE's Alzheimer's imaging agent Flutemetamol (Flute) can help clinical researchers determine whether a person is predisposed to Alzheimer's disease and where they are on the pathway to development of the disease. Recent Australian research using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans indicates that by the time a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, they have been on a pathway towards development of the disease for up to 20 years.
Michael Ackland, CEO GE Healthcare AN&Z said: "With an ageing population, and a predicted three-fold increase in the incidence of Alzheimer's worldwide by 2050, the disease has the potential to have an increasing impact on the quality of life and cost of living for Australians.
"By partnering with institutions like CSIRO who are collaborating with The National Ageing Research Centre, Austin Health, Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental health all located in Melbourne and Edith Cowan University (ECU) and McCusker Alzheimer's Research Foundation in Perth, we hope to get closer to finding a clinical treatment for Alzheimer's disease."
Previously, two sites in Melbourne were the only locations in Australia able to perform PET imaging with Flute for clinical Alzheimer's research. GE's alliance with CSIRO has supported the extension of this work to Perth, where Flute will be available to the 400 local volunteers taking part in the Australian Imaging and Biomarkers Lifestyle Study of Aging (AIBL).
The AIBL study commenced in 2006 and since then, over 1000 people aged 65 years and above have participated. The study aims to discover which biomarkers, cognitive characteristics, health and lifestyle factors determine subsequent development of symptomatic Alzheimer's disease.
"Understanding brain function and performance as we age is an exciting and critical research frontier that is providing vital new information on dementia," said Alzheimer's Australia WA CEO, Ms Rhonda Parker.
"Alzheimer's Disease and dementia is now the second leading cause of death in WA. To have this focus on the early detection of Alzheimer's Disease is a very positive step. We already know through recent research that there is much we can do to minimise the risk of dementia in the same way we can reduce the risk of heart disease," she said.
CSIRO's Dr. Lance Macaulay said: "Flute is made by Cyclotek in a single location in Australia and can now be shipped to Perth, making brain PET imaging available to more clinical researchers, convenient for volunteers and efficient for clinical research staff."
"Flute has the advantage of a much longer half-life than the original PET amyloid imaging agent, with the end result being greater access to volunteers for PET scans, high quality imaging and faster development of strategies to stop or delay Alzheimer's disease" said Perth Site Study Leader and ECU's Foundation Professor, Ralph Martins.
Flute production takes place early in the morning and must be used by the end of the day. Cyclotek operates a PET radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Melbourne, under a licence from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and in order to deliver Flute to Perth before expiry, Cyclotek has developed a streamlined logistics protocol with Toll Group and Virgin Australia.
Mr Ackland said good health was something all Australians should expect and work towards.
"GE is committed to improving the quality, access and affordability of healthcare for Australians. We're pleased to be partnering with CSIRO to transform how we treat diseases such as Alzheimer's," Mr Ackland said.
GE, CSIRO, Austin Health, Cyclotek, the McCusker Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Edith Cowan University, Oceanic Medical Imaging and Toll Group are working in partnership to support the AIBL study.
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