Open AccessDeep learning improves utility of tau PET in the study of Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
Zou James,
Park David,
Johnson Aubrey,
Feng Xinyang,
Pardo Michelle,
France Jeanelle,
Tomljanovic Zeljko,
Brickman Adam M.,
Devanand Devangere P.,
Luchsinger José A.,
Kreisl William C.,
Provenzano Frank A.
Publication year - 2021
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/dad2.12264
Subject(s) - positron emission tomography , radioligand , convolutional neural network , artificial intelligence , alzheimer's disease , heuristics , psychology , neuroscience , nuclear medicine , computer science , disease , pattern recognition (psychology) , machine learning , medicine , pathology , receptor , operating system
Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging targeting neurofibrillary tau tangles is increasingly used in the study of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its utility may be limited by conventional quantitative or qualitative evaluation techniques in earlier disease states. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are effective in learning spatial patterns for image classification. Methods 18F‐MK6240 (n = 320) and AV‐1451 (n = 446) PET images were pooled from multiple studies. We performed iterations with differing permutations of radioligands, heuristics, and architectures. Performance was compared to a standard region of interest (ROI)‐based approach on prediction of memory impairment. We visualized attention of the network to illustrate decision making. Results Overall, models had high accuracy (> 80%) with good average sensitivity and specificity (75% and 82%, respectively), and had comparable or higher accuracy to the ROI standard. Visualizations of model attention highlight known characteristics of tau radioligand binding. Discussion CNNs could improve tau PET's role in early disease and extend the utility of tau PET across generations of radioligands.