Open AccessEvaluation of a visual interpretation method for tau‐PET with 18 F‐flortaucipir
Author(s) -
Sonni Ida,
Lesman Segev Orit H.,
Baker Suzanne L.,
Iaccarino Leonardo,
Korman Deniz,
Rabinovici Gil D.,
Jagust William J.,
Landau Susan M.,
La Joie Renaud
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/dad2.12133
Subject(s) - dementia , positron emission tomography , standardized uptake value , medicine , neuroimaging , psychology , alzheimer's disease , nuclear medicine , disease , pathology , neuroscience
Positron emission tomography targeting tau (tau‐PET) is a promising diagnostic tool for the identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Currently available data rely on quantitative measures, and a visual interpretation method, critical for clinical translation, is needed. Methods We developed a visual interpretation method for 18 F‐flortaucipir tau‐PET and tested it on 274 individuals (cognitively normal controls, patients with mild cognitive impairment [MCI], AD dementia, and non‐AD diagnoses). Two readers interpreted 18 F‐flortaucipir PET using two complementary indices: a global visual score and a visual distribution pattern. Results Global visual scores were reliable, correlated with global cortical 18 F‐flortaucipir standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) and were associated with clinical diagnosis and amyloid status. The AD‐like 18 F‐flortaucipir pattern had good sensitivity and specificity to identify amyloid‐positive patients with AD dementia or MCI. Discussion This 18 F‐flortaucipir visual rating scheme is associated with SUVR quantification, clinical diagnosis, and amyloid status, and constitutes a promising approach to tau measurement in clinical settings.