Open AccessAmyloid duration is associated with preclinical cognitive decline and tau PET
Author(s) -
Koscik Rebecca L.,
Betthauser Tobey J.,
Jonaitis Erin M.,
Allison Samantha L.,
Clark Lindsay R.,
Hermann Bruce P.,
Cody Karly A.,
Engle Jonathan W.,
Barnhart Todd E.,
Stone Charles K.,
Chin Nathaniel A.,
Carlsson Cynthia M.,
Asthana Sanjay,
Christian Bradley T.,
Johnson Sterling C.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia: diagnosis, assessment and disease monitoring
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.497
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2352-8729
DOI - 10.1002/dad2.12007
Subject(s) - pittsburgh compound b , cognitive decline , amyloid (mycology) , cognition , positron emission tomography , psychology , neurofibrillary tangle , medicine , neuroscience , dementia , alzheimer's disease , disease , oncology , pathology , cognitive impairment , senile plaques
Abstract Introduction This study applies a novel algorithm to longitudinal amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to identify age‐heterogeneous amyloid trajectory groups, estimate the age and duration (chronicity) of amyloid positivity, and investigate chronicity in relation to cognitive decline and tau burden. Methods Cognitively unimpaired participants ( n = 257) underwent one to four amyloid PET scans (Pittsburgh Compound B, PiB). Group‐based trajectory modeling was applied to participants with longitudinal scans ( n = 171) to identify and model amyloid trajectory groups, which were combined with Bayes theorem to estimate age and chronicity of amyloid positivity. Relationships between chronicity, cognition, clinical progression, and tau PET (MK‐6240) were investigated using regression models. Results Chronicity explained more heterogeneity in amyloid burden than age and binary amyloid status. Chronicity was associated with faster cognitive decline, increased risk of abnormal cognition, and higher entorhinal tau. Discussion Amyloid chronicity provides unique information about cognitive decline and neurofibrillary tangle development and may be useful to investigate preclinical Alzheimer's disease.