Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Brain Scans Reveal That Some Patients Taking Drugs For Alzheimer's Don't Actually Have Disease
The Associated Press: Brain Scans May Change Care For Some People With Memory Loss
Does it really take an expensive brain scan to diagnose Alzheimer's? Not everybody needs one but new research suggests that for a surprising number of patients whose memory problems are hard to pin down, PET scans may lead to changes in treatment. (7/19)
The Washington Post: PET Scans Show Many Alzheimer’s Patients May Not Actually Have The Disease
A significant portion of people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia who are taking medication for Alzheimer’s may not actually have the disease, according to interim results of a major study currently underway to see how PET scans could change the nature of Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment. (Bahrampour, 7/19)
NPR: Dementia Patients Benefit From Sense Of Control And Independence
In nursing homes and residential facilities around the world, health care workers are increasingly asking dementia patients questions: What are your interests? How do you want to address us? What should we do to celebrate the life of a friend who has passed away? (Wang, 7/19)
