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Tau‐positron emission tomography correlates with neuropathology findings
Author(s) -
Lowe Val J.,
Lundt Emily S.,
Albertson Sabrina M.,
Min HoonKi,
Fang Ping,
Przybelski Scott A.,
Senjem Matthew L.,
Schwarz Christopher G.,
Kantarci Kejal,
Boeve Bradley,
Jones David T.,
Reichard R. Ross,
Tranovich Jessica F.,
Hanna AlShaikh Fadi S.,
Knopman David S.,
Jack Clifford R.,
Dickson Dennis W.,
Petersen Ronald C.,
Murray Melissa E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2019.09.079
Subject(s) - neuropathology , positron emission tomography , hippocampal sclerosis , file transfer protocol , tauopathy , standardized uptake value , nuclear medicine , temporal lobe , alzheimer's disease , psychology , medicine , pathology , neuroscience , disease , neurodegeneration , the internet , world wide web , computer science , epilepsy
Comparison of tau (flortaucipir) positron emission tomography (FTP‐PET) to autopsy is important to demonstrate the relationship of FTP‐PET to neuropathologic findings. Methods Autopsies were performed on 26 participants who had antemortem FTP‐PET. FTP‐PET standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) were compared to autopsy diagnoses and Braak tangle stage. Quantitative tau burden was compared to regional FTP‐PET signal. Results Participants with Braak stages of IV or greater had elevated FTP‐PET signal. FTP‐PET was elevated in participants with Alzheimer's disease. An FTP‐PET SUVR cut point of 1.29 was determined to be optimal. Quantitative measurements of hippocampal and temporal lobe tau burden were highly correlated to FTP‐PET signal (rho's from 0.61 to 0.70, P ≤ .02). Discussion Elevated FTP‐PET reflects Braak IV or greater neuropathology. Participants with primary age‐related tauopathy and hippocampal sclerosis did not show elevated FTP‐PET signal. Secondary neuropathologic diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change can lead to borderline elevated FTP‐PET signal.