Clinical Investigation
Relationships between tau and brain atrophy in Alzheimer′s disease based on 18F-THK5317 PET/MR
Fu Liping, Zhang Xiaojun, Xie Teng, Wang Ruimin, Yi Fang, Zhang Jinming, Wang Luning, Xie Hengge, Xu Baixuan, Tian Jiahe
Published 2021-06-25
Cite as Chin J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 2021, 41(6): 321-326. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn321828-20201218-00452
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the neuroimaging relationship between tau protein deposition and brain atrophy, and assess their relationships with cognitive decline in Alzheimer′s disease (AD) patients.
MethodsFrom April 2017 to October 2019, 26 AD patients (12 males, 14 females, age (70.7±12.2) years) and 19 cognitively normal controls (CN; 9 males, 10 females, age (65.6±8.1) years) in Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively enrolled. All subjects received (S)-6-[(3-18F-fluoro-2-hydroxy)propoxy]-2-(4-methylaminophenyl)quinoline (18F-THK5317) PET/MR and the standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) and gray matter volume (GMV) were measured. General linear model (GLM) was used to evaluate the differences of SUVR and GMV between two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between SUVR and GMV, and relationships of SUVR and GMV with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores in AD patients.
ResultsCompared with CN, the AD patients showed significantly increased 18F-THK5317 retention in lateral temporal, frontal, posterior cingulated/precuneus and occipital cortex with significant differences of SUVR between two groups (2.18±0.54 vs 1.78±0.09, 2.13±0.50 vs 1.82±0.06, 2.03±0.45 vs 1.69±0.08, 2.18±0.57 vs 1.76±0.10, t values: 2.58-6.57, all P<0.001). The AD patients also showed decreased GMV in medial temporal, posterior cingulated/precuneus and orbitofrontal cortex (t values: 3.67-8.85, all P<0.001). In AD patients, SUVR was negatively associated with GMV in bilateral lateral temporal cortex, pre-frontal cortex and orbital frontal cortex (r values: from -0.52 to -0.43, all P<0.05). Both SUVR (r=-0.599, P=0.001) and GMV (r=0.443, P=0.023) were significantly correlated with MMSE scores in AD patients.
ConclusionAD patients have neocortical 18F-THK5317 abnormal uptake and GMV reduction, which are significantly correlated with cognitive decline.
Key words:
Alzheimer disease; Atrophy; tau proteins; Positron-emission tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Quinolines
Contributor Information
Fu Liping
Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
Zhang Xiaojun
Department of Nuclear Medicine, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
Xie Teng
Beijing Dementia Key Laboratory, Dementia Care &
Research Center, Peking University Institute of Mental Health (Sixth Hospital), Beijing 100191, China
Wang Ruimin
Department of Nuclear Medicine, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
Yi Fang
Department of Neurology, Lishilu Outpatient, Jingzhong Medical District, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100450, China
Zhang Jinming
Department of Nuclear Medicine, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
Wang Luning
Department of Neurology, the Second Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
Xie Hengge
Department of Neurology, the Second Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
Xu Baixuan
Department of Nuclear Medicine, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
Tian Jiahe
Department of Nuclear Medicine, the First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
