scholarly journals Tauvid™: The First FDA-Approved PET Tracer for Imaging Tau Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
Caitlin Jie ◽  
Valerie Treyer ◽  
Roger Schibli ◽  
Linjing Mu
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Pet Imaging ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Tau Proteins ◽  
Tau Pathology ◽  
Pet Tracer ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Tau Pet ◽  
Target Binding

Tauvid has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of adult patients with cognitive impairments undergoing evaluation for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) based on tau pathology. Abnormal aggregation of tau proteins is one of the main pathologies present in AD and is receiving increasing attention as a diagnostic and therapeutic target. In this review, we summarised the production and quality control of Tauvid, its clinical application, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, as well as its limitation due to off-target binding. Moreover, a brief overview on the second-generation of Tau PET tracers is provided. The approval of Tauvid marks a step forward in the field of AD research and opens up opportunities for second-generation tau tracers to advance tau PET imaging in the clinic.

scholarly journals International consensus on the use of tau PET imaging agent 18F-flortaucipir in Alzheimer’s disease

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Tian ◽  
A. Cahid Civelek ◽  
Ignasi Carrio ◽  
Yasuyoshi Watanabe ◽  
Keon Wook Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Pet Imaging ◽  
Emission Tomography ◽  
Tau Pathology ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Patient Preparation ◽  
Tau Pet Imaging

Abstract Purpose Positron emission tomography (PET) with the first and only tau targeting radiotracer of 18F-flortaucipir approved by FDA has been increasingly used in depicting tau pathology deposition and distribution in patients with cognitive impairment. The goal of this international consensus is to help nuclear medicine practitioners procedurally perform 18F-flortaucipir PET imaging. Method A multidisciplinary task group formed by experts from various countries discussed and approved the consensus for 18F-flortaucipir PET imaging in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), focusing on clinical scenarios, patient preparation, and administered activities, as well as image acquisition, processing, interpretation, and reporting. Conclusion This international consensus and practice guideline will help to promote the standardized use of 18F-flortaucipir PET in patients with AD. It will become an international standard for this purpose in clinical practice.

Utilizing Advanced Imaging and Surrogate Markers Across the Spectrum of Alzheimer's Disease

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (S18) ◽  
pp. 13-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Mintun
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Pet Imaging ◽  
Amyloid Plaques ◽  
Pet Tracer ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Amyloid Deposits ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
The Brain

AbstractAlzheimer's disease is a degenerative neurological condition characterized by the presence of β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the limbic and neocortical regions of the brain. Pittsburgh Compound-B (PIB), a benzothiazole analog, has recently been found to specifically label amyloid deposits in positron emission tomography (PET) studies of the brain, opening the door for a wide range of applications related to Alzheimer's disease. In this article, data demonstrating the specificity of PIB as a PET tracer for β-amyloid lesions are reviewed, and the potential clinical applications of PIB PET imaging is discussed. Because amyloid plaques are common even in elderly individuals who are not suffering from dementia, the primary diagnostic function of PIB PET imaging presumably would be to rule out, rather than definitively confirm, Alzheimer's diagnoses in elderly patients. Other possible uses include monitoring plaque loads in patients receiving anti-amyloid therapy for Alzheimer's disease, as well as assessing plaque formation in unaffected individuals as a means of evaluating future Alzheimer's disease.

scholarly journals In vivo characterization and quantification of neurofibrillary tau PET radioligand [18F]MK-6240 in humans from Alzheimer’s disease dementia to young controls

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobey J Betthauser ◽  
Karly A Cody ◽  
Matthew D Zammit ◽  
Dhanabalan Murali ◽  
Alexander K Converse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Pet Imaging ◽  
Optimal Timing ◽  
Reference Tissue ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Imaging Characteristics ◽  
Tau Pet ◽  
Target Binding

ABSTRACTTau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has potential for elucidating changes in the deposition of neuropathological tau aggregates that are occurring during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This work investigatesin vivokinetics, quantification strategies and imaging characteristics of a novel tau PET radioligand [18F]MK-6240 in humans.MethodsFifty-one individuals ranging from cognitively normal young controls to persons with dementia underwent T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and [11C]PiB and [18F]MK-6240 PET imaging. PET data were coregistered to the MRI and time-activity curves were extracted from regions of interest to assess [18F]MK-6240 kinetics. The pons and inferior cerebellum were investigated as potential reference regions. Reference tissue methods (Logan graphical analysis (LGA) and multilinear reference tissue method (MRTM2)) were investigated for quantification of [18F]MK-6240 distribution volume ratios (DVRs) in a subset of nineteen participants. Stability of DVR methods was evaluated using truncated scan durations. Standard uptake value ratio (SUVR) estimates were compared to DVR estimates to determine the optimal timing window for SUVR analysis. Parametric SUVR images were used to identify regions of potential off-target binding and to compare binding patterns with neurofibrillary tau staging established in neuropathology literature.ResultsStandard uptake values in the pons and the inferior cerebellum indicated consistent clearance across all 51 subjects. LGA and MRTM2 DVR estimates were similar, with LGA slightly underestimating DVR compared to MRTM2. DVR estimates remained stable when truncating the scan duration to 60 minutes. SUVR determined 70-90 minutes post-injection of [18F]MK-6240 indicated linearity near unity when compared to DVR estimates and minimized potential spill-in from uptake outside of the brain. [18F]MK-6240 binding patterns in target regions were consistent with neuropathological neurofibrillary tau staging. Off-target binding regions included the ethmoid sinus, clivus, meninges, substantia nigra, but not the basal ganglia or choroid plexus.Conclusions[18F]MK-6240 is a promising PET radioligand forin vivoimaging of neurofibrillary tau aggregates in AD with minimal off-target binding in the human brain.

AADVAC1, AN ACTIVE IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND NON ALZHEIMER TAUOPATHIES: AN OVERVIEW OF PRECLINICAL AND CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
P. Novak ◽  
N. Zilka ◽  
M. Zilkova ◽  
B. Kovacech ◽  
R. Skrabana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Tau Protein ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Primary Progressive Aphasia ◽  
Tau Proteins ◽  
Active Immunotherapy ◽  
Tau Pathology

Neurofibrillary tau protein pathology is closely associated with the progression and phenotype of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies, and a high-priority target for disease-modifying therapies. Herein, we provide an overview of the development of AADvac1, an active immunotherapy against tau pathology, and tau epitopes that are potential targets for immunotherapy. The vaccine leads to the production of antibodies that target conformational epitopes in the microtubule-binding region of tau, with the aim to prevent tau aggregation and spreading of pathology, and promote tau clearance. The therapeutic potential of the vaccine was evaluated in transgenic rats and mice expressing truncated, non mutant tau protein, which faithfully replicate of human tau pathology. Treatment with AADvac1 resulted in reduction of neurofibrillary pathology and insoluble tau in their brains, and amelioration of their deleterious phenotype. The vaccine was highly immunogenic in humans, inducing production of IgG antibodies against the tau peptide in 29/30 treated elderly patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s. These antibodies were able to recognise insoluble tau proteins in Alzheimer patients’ brains. Treatment with AADvac1 proved to be remarkably safe, with injection site reactions being the only adverse event tied to treatment. AADvac1 is currently being investigated in a phase 2 study in Alzheimer’s disease, and a phase 1 study in non-fluent primary progressive aphasia, a neurodegenerative disorder with a high tau pathology component.

scholarly journals Longitudinal changes of tau PET imaging in relation to hypometabolism in prodromal and Alzheimer’s disease dementia

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1666-1673 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Chiotis ◽  
L Saint-Aubert ◽  
E Rodriguez-Vieitez ◽  
A Leuzy ◽  
O Almkvist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Pet Imaging ◽  
Longitudinal Changes ◽  
Tau Pet ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease Dementia ◽  
Tau Pet Imaging

scholarly journals Soluble P-tau217 reflects amyloid and tau pathology and mediates the association of amyloid with tau

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren ◽  
Shorena Janelidze ◽  
Randall Bateman ◽  
Ruben Smith ◽  
Erik Stomrud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Medial Temporal Lobe ◽  
Amyloid Plaques ◽  
Amyloid Plaque ◽  
Amyloid Pet ◽  
Tau Pathology ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
Tau Pet ◽  
Disease Stages

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by β-amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Plasma levels of phospho-tau217 (P-tau217) accurately differentiate Alzheimer’s disease dementia from other dementias, but it is unclear to what degree this reflects β-amyloid plaque accumulation, tau tangle accumulation, or both. In a cohort with post-mortem neuropathological data (N=88), both plaque and tangle density contributed independently to higher P-tau217. Several findings were replicated in a cohort with PET imaging (“BioFINDER-2”, N=426), where β-amyloid and tau PET were independently associated to P-tau217. P-tau217 correlated with β-amyloid PET (but not tau PET) in early disease stages, and with both β-amyloid and (more strongly) tau PET in late disease stages. Finally, P-tau217 mediated the association between β-amyloid and tau in both cohorts, especially for tau outside of the medial temporal lobe. These findings support the hypothesis that plasma P-tau217 is increased by both β-amyloid plaques and tau tangles and is congruent with the hypothesis that P-tau is involved in β-amyloid-dependent formation of neocortical tau tangles.

scholarly journals Aβ deposition is associated with increases in soluble and phosphorylated tau that precede a positive Tau PET in Alzheimer’s disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (16) ◽  
pp. eaaz2387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren ◽  
Emelie Andersson ◽  
Shorena Janelidze ◽  
Rik Ossenkoppele ◽  
Philip Insel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Amyloid Pet ◽  
Phosphorylated Tau ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Aβ Aggregation ◽  
Tau Pet ◽  
5Xfad Mice ◽  
Tau Aggregation ◽  
T Tau

The links between β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau in Alzheimer’s disease are unclear. Cognitively unimpaired persons with signs of Aβ pathology had increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) phosphorylated tau (P-tau181 and P-tau217) and total-tau (T-tau), which increased over time, despite no detection of insoluble tau aggregates [normal Tau positron emission tomography (PET)]. CSF P-tau and T-tau started to increase before the threshold for Amyloid PET positivity, while Tau PET started to increase after Amyloid PET positivity. Effects of Amyloid PET on Tau PET were mediated by CSF P-tau, and high CSF P-tau predicted increased Tau PET rates. Individuals with MAPT mutations and signs of tau deposition (but without Aβ pathology) had normal CSF P-tau levels. In 5xFAD mice, CSF tau increased when Aβ aggregation started. These results show that Aβ pathology may induce changes in soluble tau release and phosphorylation, which is followed by tau aggregation several years later in humans.

scholarly journals Prospective longitudinal atrophy in Alzheimer’s disease correlates with the intensity and topography of baseline tau-PET

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (524) ◽  
pp. eaau5732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renaud La Joie ◽  
Adrienne V. Visani ◽  
Suzanne L. Baker ◽  
Jesse A. Brown ◽  
Viktoriya Bourakova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Amyloid Pet ◽  
Specific Distribution ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Pet Radiotracers ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
Tau Pet ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

β-Amyloid plaques and tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles are the two neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and are thought to play crucial roles in a neurodegenerative cascade leading to dementia. Both lesions can now be visualized in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers, opening new opportunities to study disease mechanisms and improve patients’ diagnostic and prognostic evaluation. In a group of 32 patients at early symptomatic AD stages, we tested whether β-amyloid and tau-PET could predict subsequent brain atrophy measured using longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging acquired at the time of PET and 15 months later. Quantitative analyses showed that the global intensity of tau-PET, but not β-amyloid–PET, signal predicted the rate of subsequent atrophy, independent of baseline cortical thickness. Additional investigations demonstrated that the specific distribution of tau-PET signal was a strong indicator of the topography of future atrophy at the single patient level and that the relationship between baseline tau-PET and subsequent atrophy was particularly strong in younger patients. These data support disease models in which tau pathology is a major driver of local neurodegeneration and highlight the relevance of tau-PET as a precision medicine tool to help predict individual patient’s progression and design future clinical trials.

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