Home › Research › Biomarkers
Psychosocial and Behavioral Outcomes for Persons With Cognitive Impairment and Caregivers Following Amyloid-β PET Scan Disclosure: A Systematic Review
Couch E, Ashford MT, Zhang W, Prina M.. Alzheimer disease and associated disorders, 2023-07-24
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Background Positron emission tomography (PET) scans for amyloid-β can aid in the early and accurate detection of Alzheimer disease. The results of amyloid PET scans could help people with cognitive impairment and caregivers better understand their diagnosis; however, there are concerns that they could also cause psychological harm. Methods A systematic review of psychosocial and behavioral quantitative outcomes following the disclosure of an amyloid PET scan for persons living with cognitive impairment (subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's Disease, and other dementias) and caregivers. Findings Ten papers were identified from 7 studies. There was little evidence of an association between disclosure and depression. However, persons with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers with elevated levels of amyloid had an increased risk of distress or anxiety compared with those without elevated amyloid. Participants correctly recalled the scan results; however, it is unclear whether this led to an increased understanding of their diagnosis. We did not identify any studies measuring behavioral outcomes. Conclusions We found mixed evidence on the relationship between amyloid scans and psychosocial and behavioral outcomes in people with cognitive impairment and caregivers. These findings highlight the need for more methodologically rigorous research on this topic.
Key findings
- The results of amyloid PET scans could help people with cognitive impairment and caregivers better understand their diagnosis; however, there are concerns that they could also cause psychological harm.
- However, persons with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers with elevated levels of amyloid had an increased risk of distress or anxiety compared with those without elevated amyloid.
- Participants correctly recalled the scan results; however, it is unclear whether this led to an increased understanding of their diagnosis.
- Conclusions We found mixed evidence on the relationship between amyloid scans and psychosocial and behavioral outcomes in people with cognitive impairment and caregivers.
- These findings highlight the need for more methodologically rigorous research on this topic.
Why it matters
This review of 10 papers found little evidence linking amyloid PET disclosure to depression, but people with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers who had elevated amyloid had increased risk of distress or anxiety. It found mixed evidence on psychosocial and behavioral outcomes and no studies measuring behavioral outcomes.
New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Blood tests & biomarkers →
Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 54/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported and studied in people because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Alzheimer disease and associated disorders) |
| Journal's citation record | 1 / 4 | Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders: journal h-index 131 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2023 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 12 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 2.4 citations a year over 5 year(s) since 2023 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 2 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 12 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author Matthew A. Prina: h-index 61 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | Duke University: institution h-index 1,541 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 7 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 37561950) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 54 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000569
- PubMed: 37561950
- Original source →
- Free full text: PubMed Central →
Full text: free to read — PubMed Central lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 10 Oct 2026).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Couch, E., Ashford, M. T., Zhang, W., & Prina, M. (2023). Psychosocial and Behavioral Outcomes for Persons With Cognitive Impairment and Caregivers Following Amyloid-β PET Scan Disclosure: A Systematic Review. Alzheimer disease and associated disorders. https://doi.org/10.1097/wad.0000000000000569
Vancouver
Couch E, Ashford MT, Zhang W, Prina M. Psychosocial and Behavioral Outcomes for Persons With Cognitive Impairment and Caregivers Following Amyloid-β PET Scan Disclosure: A Systematic Review. Alzheimer disease and associated disorders. 2023. doi:10.1097/wad.0000000000000569. PMID: 37561950.
BibTeX
@article{couch2023-37561950,
author = {Couch, E. and Ashford, M. T. and Zhang, W. and Prina, M.},
title = {{Psychosocial and Behavioral Outcomes for Persons With Cognitive Impairment and Caregivers Following Amyloid-β PET Scan Disclosure: A Systematic Review}},
journal = {Alzheimer disease and associated disorders},
year = {2023},
doi = {10.1097/wad.0000000000000569},
pmid = {37561950},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1097/wad.0000000000000569}
}
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.
Later studies that cite this one
2 studies in the alzhub library list this one in their references.