Tau PET is the best imaging tool to predict the rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s, researchers asserted in a new study published Aug. 9.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration three years ago approved the use of flortaucipir, a radiotracer that binds to the tau protein, allowing for the detection of its accumulation. It’s one of several options available to assess Alzheimer’s, with other options including amyloid or glucose metabolism positron emission tomography.
Scientists the University of Geneva recently set out to determine which works best at predicting progression of the degenerative disease, sharing their findings in Alzheimer’s & Dementia [1].
“Our results show that while the various PET measures were all associated with the presence of cognitive symptoms, confirming their role as strong indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, tau PET was the best to predict the rate of cognitive decline, even in individuals with minimal symptoms,” Cecilia Boccalini, a PhD student at the Swiss institution and first author of this study, said in an announcement.
The investigation included 94 participants who underwent the Mini-Mental State Examination, MRI, and tau, amyloid, and fluorodeoxyglucose PET at the Geneva Memory Center. Participants were classified as cognitively unimpaired (17/94), mildly cognitive impaired (57/94), or with dementia (20/94). Boccalini and colleagues performed various analyses to test the independent and combined association between biomarkers, cognitive performance and decline.
They also analyzed each biomarkers’ prognostic values, with tau PET exceeding all other imaging modalities. Given the novel approach’s “superior prognostic value,” the authors urged for the incorporation of tau PET into routine clinical evaluation in memory care clinics and other settings.
“This breakthrough is crucial for better management of Alzheimer’s disease,” Valentina Garibotto, associate professor in the Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics at the University of Geneva and c0-author of the study, said in the announcement. “Recently, drugs targeting amyloid have shown positive results. New drugs targeting the tau protein also look promising. By detecting the pathology as early as possible, before the brain is further damaged, and thanks to new treatments, we hope to be able to make a greater impact on patients’ future and quality of life.”
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.