PET tau imaging in BLSA and GESTALT as an Early Marker of Alzheimer's Disease

National Institute On Aging

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

PET imaging with the Tau radioligand AV-1451 was introduced into the BLSA study in 2016. In combination with PET amyloid imaging and MRI measures, these studies will provide information on the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's Disease. Through March, 2020, more than 110 BLSA participants had at least one PET Tau scan, and of these, more than half had 2 or more scans. Due to COVID-19, PET imaging was suspended through May 2021 but has recently resumed. However, PET study participant flow is at a much reduced rate due to the diminished numbers of BLSA participant visits in the parent BLSA study. Our group has focused on analysis of existing data over the last year while studies were suspended. Analysis of the baseline imaging studies continue to show the expected finding of greater Tau deposition in individuals with positive amyloid PET scans. All participants enrolled in the BLSA PET Tau scan study also have an amyloid PET scan in addition to cognitive, motor and other BLSA assessments. Two manuscripts, led by Dr. Murat Bilgel, that utilize PET Tau data have been prepared over the last year and are under review. One investigates vascular risk in relation to PET Tau level and regional distributions, and a second uses causal modeling to investigate the effects of amyloid and entorhinal tau on neocortical tau propagation and neurodegeneration. In addition, over the last year, we have identified BLSA PET imaging participants who completed PET amyloid and tau studies and have pulled samples for measurement of plasma pTau, which are currently being assayed in Sweden in the labs of Drs. Zetterberg, Blennow and Ashton.