Capitol Imaging Services offers Neuroreader® for fast, accurate and proven automated brain image analysis as part of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain.
Early detection of neurodegenerative disorders such as Dementia and Alzheimer's disease is often the first step in improving quality of life for patients. In conjunction with MRI, Neuroreader® is designed to detect inconsistencies in brain patterns. A specific report is generated, giving the radiologist and your medical provider more visual and quantitative information in addition to your regular MRI scan findings.
Neuroreader® provides these quantitative measurements from MRI brain studies that can be used in conjunction with other clinical findings as part of an overall neurological assessment. Neuroreader® provides valuable quantitative data on 45 brain structures. The data provides supportive information to physicians in order to aid in their clinical treatment planning and disease progression monitoring of patients with neurodegenerative conditions. The goal is to minimize misdiagnosis and reduce unnecessary healthcare costs that often result from diagnostic errors.
Health insurance does not cover Neuroreader® as part of a brain MRI. Testing will result in an out-of-pocket expense of $250.
When would I get Neuroreader?
Neuroreader® may be determined to be appropriate by a medical provider to assist in further assessing neurological conditions and neurodegenerative diseases such as:
- Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Mesial Temporal Sclerosis
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Neuroreader® works as an application in measuring hippocampal volume, a biomarker that is frequently abnormal in neurological disorders. The hippocampus is a complex brain structure embedded deep into the temporal lobe, playing a major role in learning and memory.
What Will I Experience?
For the patient, Neuroreader® is an additional analysis that can be included in a brain MRI exam. Neuroreader® is usually performed without the use of a contrast dye.
MRI exams are painless. However, some patients find it challenging to remain still. Others may feel closed-in (claustrophobia) while in a conventional closed MRI scanner. The scanner can be noisy. Nervous or anxious patients may be offered a mild sedative.
A patient may also ask their medical provider to prescribe a mild sedative to take before the exam. If a mild sedative is taken, the patient will need to have someone drive them to our center and take them home once the exam is done.
It is normal for the area of your body being imaged to feel slightly warm. It is important that you remain perfectly still while the images are being recorded, which is typically only a few seconds to a few minutes at a time. You will know when images are being recorded because you will hear tapping or thumping sounds when the coils that generate the radiofrequency pulses are activated. You will be able to relax between imaging sequences, but will be asked to maintain your position as much as possible.
You will usually be alone in the exam room during the MRI procedure. However, the technologist will be able to see, hear and speak with you at all times using a two-way intercom.
You will be offered earplugs or a headset to reduce the noise of the MRI, which produces loud thumping and humming noises during imaging. MRI scanners are air-conditioned and well-lit. Some of our scanners have music you can listen to during the test.
Most MRI scans of the brain with Neuroreader® will last approximately 45-60 minutes.
