PET Imaging of Tau Deposition in the Aging Human Brain

• Tau pathology is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but also occurs in normal cognitive aging. Using the tau PET agent F-18-AV-1451, we examined retention patterns in cognitively normal older people in relation to young controls and AD patients. Age and beta-amyloid (measured using PiB PET) were differentially associated with tau tracer retention in healthy aging. Older age was related to increased tracer retention in regions of the medial temporal lobe, which predicted worse episodic memory performance. PET detection of tau in other isocortical regions required the presence of cortical b-amyloid and was associated with decline in global cognition. Furthermore, patterns of tracer retention corresponded well with Braak staging of neurofibrillary tau pathology. The present study defined patterns of tau tracer retention in normal aging in relation to age, cognition, and beta-amyloid deposition.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

mild cognitive impairment

alzheimers-disease

neurofibrillary tangles

episodic memory

cerebrospinal-fluid

national institute

age

categories

senile plaques

amyloid-beta

a-beta

Neurosciences & Neurology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)