Regional Variability in MRI Scans with Different Magnetic Field Strengths in Japan: Implications for Healthcare Preparedness for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment.

ABSTRACT: (1) Background: The 2023 approval of lecanemab for early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) highlighted the need for routine 1.5T or 3.0T MRI scans to monitor amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIAs). Regional disparities in MRI scan frequency, MRI scanner availability, and scanner magnetic field strengths could affect readiness for anti-amyloid therapy and lead to inconsistencies in ARIA detection nationwide. (2) Methods: We assessed regional variance in MRI scan frequency and field strength across Japan using the National Database (NDB) Open Data website, which summarizes Japanese public health insurance claims from the fiscal years (FYs) 2015 to 2021. We employed a mixed-effects model with prefecture-level random intercepts and slopes over time, subsequently categorizing prefectures in

SUBMITTER: Sato K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11351322 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature