Recent Study Updates

New IDEAS Newsletter

Read the most recent New IDEAS Study Newsletter here to learn more about ongoing initiatives. Read the most recent newsletter or past newsletters.

Referring Dementia Practice Updates

Register for Upcoming Webinar - Best Practices for Recruitment of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx populations into New IDEAS - October 2023

The New IDEAS recruitment and innovation team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center will be hosting a live hour-long webinar on Tuesday, October 31^st at 4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT. Panelists will include PIs and clinic staff from sites who have performed exceptionally well in enrollment of Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx participants into the New IDEAS study. This discussion-based webinar will provide the audience an opportunity to hear first-hand from sites about effective strategies and challenges faced to recruit these priority populations into the study. A live Q&A session will be held at the end of the event for continued discussion. We look forward to seeing you there! Please register here today. 

New Updates to Pre-PET and Post-PET Form - September 2023

Effective September 2023, Lecanemab was added as an anti-amyloid pharma therapy option on the Pre-PET and Post-PET forms. Please review and download the latest version of the Case Report Form Packet for Dementia Practices. These changes are currently live in the New IDEAS Portal. 

All Other Race/Ethnicity Cohort Enrollment Update - August 2023

Effective September 1, 2023, the New IDEAS Study Team will re-open the “All Other Races/Ethnicities” cohort to only those sites who have registered at least ten (10) participants since March 1, 2022 (Note: Registrations must represent 10 unique individuals, not re-registrations).

Sites that meet the registration waiver criterion:

• Will automatically be allowed to register patients in the All Other Races/Ethnicities cohort in the New IDEAS Portal beginning September 1, 2023.
• Should continue to focus on enrollment of other minoritized populations (e.g., Asians, Pacific Islanders, Indigenous populations) into the newly opened cohort (See the Case Report Form Packet pg. 3 for race/ethnicity identifiers)
• Will be limited to 10 new patient registrations per month in the All Other Races/Ethnicities cohort to ensure equal representation and access to care across participating sites in the study. 

Sites that do not meet the registration waiver criterion have two options:

1. Continue active study participation with authorization to enroll Black/African American and/or Hispanic/Latinx participants until the cohorts are closed. (Note: Sites that meet the above registration waiver criterion after September 1, 2023 will be issued a registration waiver until the All Other Races/Ethnicities cohort is closed.)
2. Request site termination. If the site feels that it can no longer contribute to meet study’s enrollment goals for the Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx cohorts, please email newideas@acr.org and submit a termination report to the IRB.

Study Protocol and Informed Consent Form Amendment - March 2023

The New IDEAS Study Team is excited to announce new study-wide initiatives including transportation assistance to the amyloid PET scan, in-home blood collection services, and updates to the study protocol’s inclusion criteria for more inclusive research. The Study Team received approval for a protocol and Informed Consent Form (ICF) amendment on March 1, 2023.

Please review the following documents: 

• Summary of Changes
• Study Protocol
• Case Report Form Packet - Dementia Practice – Version 5, March 2023
• New IDEAS Study Protocol and Informed Consent Form Amendment 3 Site Instructions
• Transportation Assistance Information Sheet
• Updated New IDEAS Blood Collection Instructions for Participants

New Blood Draw Information Sheet for Patients 

The New IDEAS Study Team developed a Blood Draw Information Sheet for Patients to help practices communicate with patients about the blood collection component of the New IDEAS Study. The material is available in both English and Spanish. 

PET Imaging Facility Updates

Medicare Reimbursement and Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Denials

If your facility is currently experiencing issues with prior authorization requests or Medicare reimbursement for amyloid PET scans conducted through New IDEAS, please contact the New IDEAS Operations Team at newideas@acr.org.

Detailed instructions on proper Medicare billing processes can be found on the study website. Reminder, the study has a template letter available for use when communicating with Medicare Advantage Plans. This resource has been proven successful in obtaining prior authorization for coverage.

Community Engagement Updates

Highlights

New IDEAS Study Champions attended the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Heath & Wellness Expo near Dallas in March to share information about the study and the importance of memory care. 

Become a Study Champion

Study Champions are trained volunteers who partner with community organizations within their region to spread information about the New IDEAS Study. Champions must live in near one of the following metropolitan areas - Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia/New Jersey, San Diego, Washington DC/DMV.

If you become a Study Champion, you will receive training on New IDEAS and learn how to build strong community relationships and cultural humility.

Email NewIdeasStudy.CES@med.unc.edu to learn more about becoming a New IDEAS Study Champion.

Page last updated: September 28, 2023