Applied NeuroSolutions (Vernon Hills, Illinois) said that according to a study soon to be published in Neurobiology of Aging an increase in a specific, abnormal brain protein appears to herald the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

The study noted a correlation between the increasing levels of the tau protein in the brain with a rise in the severity of dementia and cognitive impairment. This increased level of tau protein appeared prior to the development of neurofibrillary tangles, which are the hallmark lesions of Alzheimer's disease. The study analyzed post-mortem brain tissue samples of 81 people, ranging from those with no indication of cognitive impairment to those diagnosed with AD.

Applied NeuroSolutions is seeking to commercialize a diagnostic test to detect AD that measures the amount of an abnormal protein, p-tau 231. It said that in testing of nearly 3,500 samples, the assay has proven to be 85% to 95% sensitive and specific in detecting AD.

Breast MRI CAD gets CPT code

CAD Sciences (White Plains, New York) reported the creation of the first-ever Category III Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code that can be used for Breast MRI computer-aided diagnosis (CAD).

The new CPT code was established by the American Medical Association (AMA; Chicago) through a process initiated by the filing of a Coding Change Request Form by CAD Sciences.

One of the major factors considered in the approval of a new procedure or service by the AMA centers on the existence of validation through clinical trials. CAD Sciences said its CPT code submission was substantiated with published results of clinical trials exhibiting the efficacy of the company's pharmacokinetic analysis technology for breast imaging.