'A big step for our state': New Mexico administers first dose of advanced Alzheimer's imaging agent

Andrew Romero watched his wife’s cognitive functions deteriorate due to dementia, and began thinking about his own brain functions soon after.

At 85 years old, Romero realized he was forgetting what people had told him just minutes prior, and found himself struggling to remember where he was going and how to get around the city.

Worried about his future and urged by his daughter to find answers, Romero booked an appointment at the New Mexico Cancer Center (NMCC) to receive the first dose of Vizamyl — an advanced positron emission tomography (PET) scan imaging agent used to detect signs of Alzheimer’s.

On April 9, this center administered the first dose of the imaging agent in New Mexico. NMCC developed a comprehensive program that integrates genetic testing, PET imaging and one-on-one consultations to review results and develop a treatment plan.

One of the biggest challenges with Alzheimer’s and its 80 related dementias is a definitive diagnosis. Too often, those don’t come until after death in a brain autopsy. Doctors often struggle with what to tell patients and their families as different dementias can have different symptoms — regressive memory loss versus short-term memory loss, differing behavioral changes, loss of balance, paranoia and wandering, to name a few.

Often, not knowing which dementia affects a person can handicap families from preparing for the correct symptoms and anticipating how quickly the disease might take hold.

With Vizamyl, New Mexicans will have access to the latest advancements in Alzheimer’s detection and care. While there is no cure for the neurodegenerative disorder, Vizamyl will make it easier for patients to make themselves aware of any signs of Alzheimer’s.

“What I’m trying to do is be available, be aware enough and have enough knowledge and conscience to take care of everything,” Romero said. “I experienced that with my spouse, and I was kind of freaked out when she couldn’t recognize where we were going.”

Vizamyl is an injectable imaging agent. Using the medication — which is radioactive but safe for injection — patients receive a dose, which creates an image on a PET scan. The PET scan will show if a patient’s brain has any signs of amyloid plaques — one of the key indicators of Alzheimer’s. With the information, providers are able to develop a treatment plan based on the diagnosis.

Prior to the medication being available in New Mexico, patients were forced to go to neighboring states like Texas and Arizona to receive treatment.

Previously, the medication was not covered under Medicare or Medicaid, making it less accessible to patients, and the manufacturer who creates the drug is located in Denver, forcing providers to fly it in. However, the Vizamyl is now covered under insurance.

In the future, GE Healthcare — which manufactures Vizamyl — said the goal is to bring a cyclotron, a type of particle accelerator needed to make Vizamyl, to the state to help produce the imaging agent at a faster rate. In the next week, X-Ray Associates of New Mexico will also begin providing Vizamyl to the public.

“This is a big step for our state, and we look forward to eventually opening up more spots and days we can do this exam,” said Emma Gonzales, radiology lead at the New Mexico Cancer Center. “We’re hoping we can serve our underserved community.”