Markey Applauds Approval of New Test To Help Detect Alzheimer's Disease

Statement

Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), co-chair of the Congressional Taskforce on Alzheimer's Disease, released the following statement on the approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a new test that detects proteins in the brain related to Alzheimer's disease. The test, developed by Eli Lilly & Co., uses the chemical florbetapir, with the brand name Amyvid.

"FDA's approval of florbetapir for use in tests to detect Alzheimer's disease marks the latest breakthrough in the accelerating field of science around this devastating disease. The use of this new test will advance the practice of Alzheimer's diagnoses as well as the ongoing study of brain imaging and Alzheimer's disease. Patients and their families have long suffered from a lack of consistency and infrequency of Alzheimer's diagnoses, and now doctors and industry experts must work together to determine how this test can and should be used in a clinical setting to address this challenge. I introduced H.R. 1386, the Health Outcomes Planning and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer's Act to encourage standards for Alzheimer's diagnoses and reimbursement for doctors. This new approval shows that scientists researching the causes of and treatments for Alzheimer's disease are producing results. It is time we provide the appropriate funding and support so they may fully understand and cure this disease."

In February, Rep. Markey introduced H.R. 3891, the bipartisan Spending Reductions Through Innovations in Therapies (SPRINT) Act, which would spur innovation in research and drug development for high-cost, chronic health conditions such as Alzheimer's.

In April 2011, Rep. Markey authored the Health Outcomes, Planning and Education (H.O.P.E.) Act to encourage early Alzheimer's diagnoses and connect caregivers to information and resources. In May 2011, Rep. Markey and Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), co-Chair of the Congressional Taskforce on Alzheimer's disease, introduced the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act, which would require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create a strategic plan to expedite therapeutic outcomes for those with or at risk of Alzheimer's disease and coordinate Alzheimer's research within the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health and across all Centers and Institutes of the NIH.

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