Appropriate use criteria for amyloid PET: A report of the Amyloid Imaging Task Force, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and the Alzheimer's Association

TLDR

Positron emission tomography of brain amyloid β is increasingly available, but its clinical utility requires careful definition. The task force was convened to provide guidance to dementia care practitioners, patients, and caregivers, and to outline future research directions such as diagnostic utility and patient‑centered outcomes. The AIT reviewed a broad range of clinical scenarios, searched peer‑reviewed literature for evidence, and developed a consensus expert opinion. The task force agreed on specific appropriate use criteria defining patient types and clinical circumstances for amyloid PET, and also formulated inappropriate uses, though empirical outcome evidence remains unavailable. These criteria will require periodic reassessment as dementia care and amyloid PET technology evolve.

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) of brain amyloid β is a technology that is becoming more available, but its clinical utility in medical practice requires careful definition. To provide guidance to dementia care practitioners, patients, and caregivers, the Alzheimer's Association and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging convened the Amyloid Imaging Taskforce (AIT). The AIT considered a broad range of specific clinical scenarios in which amyloid PET could potentially be used appropriately. Peer‐reviewed, published literature was searched to ascertain available evidence relevant to these scenarios, and the AIT developed a consensus of expert opinion. Although empirical evidence of impact on clinical outcomes is not yet available, a set of specific appropriate use criteria (AUC) were agreed on that define the types of patients and clinical circumstances in which amyloid PET could be used. Both appropriate and inappropriate uses were considered and formulated, and are reported and discussed here. Because both dementia care and amyloid PET technology are in active development, these AUC will require periodic reassessment. Future research directions are also outlined, including diagnostic utility and patient‐centered outcomes.