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Cools R, Kerkhofs K, Leitao RCF, Bormans G. Preclinical Evaluation of Novel PET Probes for Dementia. Semin Nucl Med 2023; 53:599-629. [PMID: 37149435 DOI: 10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The development of novel PET imaging agents that selectively bind specific dementia-related targets can contribute significantly to accurate, differential and early diagnosis of dementia causing diseases and support the development of therapeutic agents. Consequently, in recent years there has been a growing body of literature describing the development and evaluation of potential new promising PET tracers for dementia. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of novel dementia PET probes under development, classified by their target, and pinpoints their preclinical evaluation pathway, typically involving in silico, in vitro and ex/in vivo evaluation. Specific target-associated challenges and pitfalls, requiring extensive and well-designed preclinical experimental evaluation assays to enable successful clinical translation and avoid shortcomings observed for previously developed 'well-established' dementia PET tracers are highlighted in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy Cools
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kobe Kerkhofs
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; NURA, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Renan C F Leitao
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Bormans
- Laboratory for Radiopharmaceutical Research, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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2
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Mohammadi Z, Alizadeh H, Marton J, Cumming P. The Sensitivity of Tau Tracers for the Discrimination of Alzheimer's Disease Patients and Healthy Controls by PET. Biomolecules 2023; 13:290. [PMID: 36830659 PMCID: PMC9953528 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates, also known as neurofibrillary tangles, are a hallmark neuropathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Molecular imaging of tau by positron emission tomography (PET) began with the development of [18F]FDDNP, an amyloid β tracer with off-target binding to tau, which obtained regional specificity through the differing distributions of amyloid β and tau in AD brains. A concerted search for more selective and affine tau PET tracers yielded compounds belonging to at least eight structural categories; 18F-flortaucipir, known variously as [18F]-T807, AV-1451, and Tauvid®, emerged as the first tau tracer approved by the American Food and Drug Administration. The various tau tracers differ concerning their selectivity over amyloid β, off-target binding at sites such as monoamine oxidase and neuromelanin, and degree of uptake in white matter. While there have been many reviews of molecular imaging of tau in AD and other conditions, there has been no systematic comparison of the fitness of the various tracers for discriminating between AD patient and healthy control (HC) groups. In this narrative review, we endeavored to compare the binding properties of the various tau tracers in vitro and the effect size (Cohen's d) for the contrast by PET between AD patients and age-matched HC groups. The available tracers all gave good discrimination, with Cohen's d generally in the range of two-three in culprit brain regions. Overall, Cohen's d was higher for AD patient groups with more severe illness. Second-generation tracers, while superior concerning off-target binding, do not have conspicuously higher sensitivity for the discrimination of AD and HC groups. We suppose that available pharmacophores may have converged on a maximal affinity for tau fibrils, which may limit the specific signal imparted in PET studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Mohammadi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166/15731, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166/15731, Iran
| | - Hadi Alizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166/15731, Iran
| | - János Marton
- ABX Advanced Biochemical Compounds Biomedizinische Forschungsreagenzien GmbH, Heinrich-Glaeser-Straße 10-14, D-01454 Radeberg, Germany
| | - Paul Cumming
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstraße 18, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
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3
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Kallinen A, Kassiou M. Tracer development for PET imaging of proteinopathies. Nucl Med Biol 2022; 114-115:108-120. [PMID: 35487833 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This review outlines small molecule radiotracers developed for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of proteinopathies, neurodegenerative diseases characterised by accumulation of malformed proteins, over the last two decades with the focus on radioligands that have progressed to clinical studies. Introduction provides a short summary of proteinopathy targets used for PET imaging, including vastly studied proteins Aβ and tau and emerging α-synuclein. In the main section, clinically relevant Aβ and tau radioligand classes and their properties are discussed, including an overview of lead compounds and radioligand candidates studied as α-synuclein imaging agents in the early discovery and preclinical development phase. Lastly, the specific challenges and future directions in proteinopathy radioligand development are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annukka Kallinen
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, 384 Victoria St, NSW 2010, Australia.
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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4
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Knight AC, Morrone CD, Varlow C, Yu WH, McQuade P, Vasdev N. Head-to-Head Comparison of Tau-PET Radioligands for Imaging TDP-43 in Post-Mortem ALS Brain. Mol Imaging Biol 2022; 25:513-527. [PMID: 36258099 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-022-01779-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In vivo detection of transactivation response element DNA binding protein-43 kDa (TDP-43) aggregates through positron emission tomography (PET) would impact the ability to successfully develop therapeutic interventions for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the ability of six tau PET radioligands to bind to TDP-43 aggregates in post-mortem brain tissues from ALS patients. PROCEDURES Herein, we report the first head-to-head evaluation of six tritium labeled isotopologs of tau-targeting PET radioligands, [3H]MK-6240 (a.k.a. florquinitau), [3H]Genentech Tau Probe-1 (GTP-1), [3H]JNJ-64326067(JNJ-067), [3H]CBD-2115, [3H]flortaucipir, and [3H]APN-1607, and their ability to bind to the β-pleated sheet structures of aggregate TDP-43 in post-mortem ALS brain tissues by autoradiography and immunostaining methods. Post-mortem frontal cortex, motor cortex, and cerebellum tissues were evaluated, and binding intensity was aligned with areas of elevated phosphorylated tau (ptau), pTDP-43, and β-amyloid. RESULTS Negligible binding was observed with [3H]MK-6240, [3H]JNJ-067, and [3H]GTP-1. While [3H]CBD-2115 displayed marginal specific binding, this binding did not significantly correlate with the distribution of pTDP-43 and AT8 inclusions. Of the remaining ligands, the distribution of [3H]flortaucipir did not significantly correlate to pTDP-43 pathology; however, specific binding trends to a positive relationship with tau. Finally, [3H]APN-1607 relates most strongly to amyloid load and does not indicate pTDP-43 pathology as confirmed by [3H]PiB distribution in sister sections. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the prominent nature of mixed pathology in ALS, and do not support the application of [3H]MK-6240, [3H]JNJ-067, [3H]GTP-1, [3H]CBD-2115, [3H]flortaucipir, or [3H]APN-1607 for selective imaging TDP-43 in ALS for clinical research with the currently available in vitro data. Identification of potent and selective radiotracers for TDP-43 remains an ongoing challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley C Knight
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christopher D Morrone
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cassis Varlow
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wai Haung Yu
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Canada
| | - Paul McQuade
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd, 35 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Neil Vasdev
- Azrieli Centre for Neuro-Radiochemistry, Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, Canada.
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5
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Non-invasive imaging of tau-targeted probe uptake by whole brain multi-spectral optoacoustic tomography. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022; 49:2137-2152. [PMID: 35128565 PMCID: PMC9165274 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05708-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Abnormal tau accumulation within the brain plays an important role in tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. High-resolution imaging of tau deposits at the whole-brain scale in animal disease models is highly desired. Methods We approached this challenge by non-invasively imaging the brains of P301L mice of 4-repeat tau with concurrent volumetric multi-spectral optoacoustic tomography (vMSOT) at ~ 115 μm spatial resolution using the tau-targeted pyridinyl-butadienyl-benzothiazole derivative PBB5 (i.v.). In vitro probe characterization, concurrent vMSOT and epi-fluorescence imaging of in vivo PBB5 targeting (i.v.) was performed in P301L and wild-type mice, followed by ex vivo validation using AT-8 antibody for phosphorylated tau. Results PBB5 showed specific binding to recombinant K18 tau fibrils by fluorescence assay, to post-mortem Alzheimer’s disease brain tissue homogenate by competitive binding against [11C]PBB3 and to tau deposits (AT-8 positive) in post-mortem corticobasal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy brains. Dose-dependent optoacoustic and fluorescence signal intensities were observed in the mouse brains following i.v. administration of different concentrations of PBB5. In vivo vMSOT brain imaging of P301L mice showed higher retention of PBB5 in the tau-laden cortex and hippocampus compared to wild-type mice, as confirmed by ex vivo vMSOT, epi-fluorescence, multiphoton microscopy, and immunofluorescence staining. Conclusions We demonstrated non-invasive whole-brain imaging of tau in P301L mice with vMSOT system using PBB5 at a previously unachieved ~ 115 μm spatial resolution. This platform provides a new tool to study tau spreading and clearance in a tauopathy mouse model, foreseeable in monitoring tau targeting putative therapeutics. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00259-022-05708-w.
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6
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Ni R, Nitsch RM. Recent Developments in Positron Emission Tomography Tracers for Proteinopathies Imaging in Dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 13:751897. [PMID: 35046791 PMCID: PMC8761855 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.751897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
An early detection and intervention for dementia represent tremendous unmet clinical needs and priorities in society. A shared feature of neurodegenerative diseases causing dementia is the abnormal accumulation and spreading of pathological protein aggregates, which affect the selective vulnerable circuit in a disease-specific pattern. The advancement in positron emission tomography (PET) biomarkers has accelerated the understanding of the disease mechanism and development of therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The clinical utility of amyloid-β PET and the clinical validity of tau PET as diagnostic biomarker for Alzheimer's disease continuum have been demonstrated. The inclusion of biomarkers in the diagnostic criteria has introduced a paradigm shift that facilitated the early and differential disease diagnosis and impacted on the clinical management. Application of disease-modifying therapy likely requires screening of patients with molecular evidence of pathological accumulation and monitoring of treatment effect assisted with biomarkers. There is currently still a gap in specific 4-repeat tau imaging probes for 4-repeat tauopathies and α-synuclein imaging probes for Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy body. In this review, we focused on recent development in molecular imaging biomarkers for assisting the early diagnosis of proteinopathies (i.e., amyloid-β, tau, and α-synuclein) in dementia and discussed future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger M. Nitsch
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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7
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Baker SL, Provost K, Thomas W, Whitman AJ, Janabi M, Schmidt ME, Timmers M, Kolb HC, Rabinovici GD, Jagust WJ. Evaluation of [ 18F]-JNJ-64326067-AAA tau PET tracer in humans. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:3302-3313. [PMID: 34259071 PMCID: PMC8669274 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211031035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The [18F]-JNJ-64326067-AAA ([18F]-JNJ-067) tau tracer was evaluated in healthy older controls (HCs), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) participants. Seventeen subjects (4 HCs, 5 MCIs, 5 ADs, and 3 PSPs) received a [11C]-PIB amyloid PET scan, and a tau [18F]-JNJ-067 PET scan 0-90 minutes post-injection. Only MCIs and ADs were amyloid positive. The simplified reference tissue model, Logan graphical analysis distribution volume ratio, and SUVR were evaluated for quantification. The [18F]-JNJ-067 tau signal relative to the reference region continued to increase to 90 min, indicating the tracer had not reached steady state. There was no significant difference in any bilateral ROIs for MCIs or PSPs relative to HCs; AD participants showed elevated tracer relative to controls in most cortical ROIs (P < 0.05). Only AD participants showed elevated retention in the entorhinal cortex. There was off-target signal in the putamen, pallidum, thalamus, midbrain, superior cerebellar gray, and white matter. [18F]-JNJ-067 significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with Mini-Mental State Exam in entorhinal cortex and temporal meta regions. There is clear binding of [18F]-JNJ-067 in AD participants. Lack of binding in HCs, MCIs and PSPs suggests [18F]-JNJ-067 may not bind to low levels of AD-related tau or 4 R tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne L Baker
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Karine Provost
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Wesley Thomas
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - A J Whitman
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Mustafa Janabi
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Mark E Schmidt
- Janssen Research and Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Maarten Timmers
- Janssen Research and Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Gil D Rabinovici
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - William J Jagust
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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8
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Ricci M, Cimini A, Camedda R, Chiaravalloti A, Schillaci O. Tau Biomarkers in Dementia: Positron Emission Tomography Radiopharmaceuticals in Tauopathy Assessment and Future Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222313002. [PMID: 34884804 PMCID: PMC8657996 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal accumulation of Tau protein is closely associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment and it is a biomarker of neurodegeneration in the dementia field, especially in Alzheimer’s disease (AD); therefore, it is crucial to be able to assess the Tau deposits in vivo. Beyond the fluid biomarkers of tauopathy described in this review in relationship with the brain glucose metabolic patterns, this review aims to focus on tauopathy assessment by using Tau PET imaging. In recent years, several first-generation Tau PET tracers have been developed and applied in the dementia field. Common limitations of first-generation tracers include off-target binding and subcortical white-matter uptake; therefore, several institutions are working on developing second-generation Tau tracers. The increasing knowledge about the distribution of first- and second-generation Tau PET tracers in the brain may support physicians with Tau PET data interpretation, both in the research and in the clinical field, but an updated description of differences in distribution patterns among different Tau tracers, and in different clinical conditions, has not been reported yet. We provide an overview of first- and second-generation tracers used in ongoing clinical trials, also describing the differences and the properties of novel tracers, with a special focus on the distribution patterns of different Tau tracers. We also describe the distribution patterns of Tau tracers in AD, in atypical AD, and further neurodegenerative diseases in the dementia field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ricci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (R.C.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea Cimini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (R.C.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
| | - Riccardo Camedda
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (R.C.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
| | - Agostino Chiaravalloti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (R.C.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
- Nuclear Medicine Section, IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Orazio Schillaci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.C.); (R.C.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
- Nuclear Medicine Section, IRCCS Neuromed, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
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9
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Amini M, Pedram MM, Moradi A, Jamshidi M, Ouchani M. Single and Combined Neuroimaging Techniques for Alzheimer's Disease Detection. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2021; 2021:9523039. [PMID: 34335726 PMCID: PMC8292054 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9523039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) consists of the gradual process of decreasing volume and quality of neuron connection in the brain, which consists of gradual synaptic integrity and loss of cognitive functions. In recent years, there has been significant attention in AD classification and early detection with machine learning algorithms. There are different neuroimaging techniques for capturing data and using it for the classification task. Input data as images will help machine learning models to detect different biomarkers for AD classification. This marker has a more critical role for AD detection than other diseases because beta-amyloid can extract complex structures with some metal ions. Most researchers have focused on using 3D and 4D convolutional neural networks for AD classification due to reasonable amounts of data. Also, combination neuroimaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography for AD detection have recently gathered much attention. However, gathering a combination of data can be expensive, complex, and tedious. For time consumption reasons, most patients prefer to throw one of the neuroimaging techniques. So, in this review article, we have surveyed different research studies with various neuroimaging techniques and ML methods to see the effect of using combined data as input. The result has shown that the use of the combination method would increase the accuracy of AD detection. Also, according to the sensitivity metrics from different machine learning methods, MRI and fMRI showed promising results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Amini
- Department of Cognitive Modeling, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mir Mohsen Pedram
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Cognitive Modeling, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Moradi
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Jamshidi
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahshad Ouchani
- Institute for Cognitive and Brain Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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10
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Bao W, Xie F, Zuo C, Guan Y, Huang YH. PET Neuroimaging of Alzheimer's Disease: Radiotracers and Their Utility in Clinical Research. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:624330. [PMID: 34025386 PMCID: PMC8134674 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.624330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the leading cause of senile dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of people worldwide and exerting tremendous socioeconomic burden on all societies. Although definitive diagnosis of AD is often made in the presence of clinical manifestations in late stages, it is now universally believed that AD is a continuum of disease commencing from the preclinical stage with typical neuropathological alterations appearing decades prior to its first symptom, to the prodromal stage with slight symptoms of amnesia (amnestic mild cognitive impairment, aMCI), and then to the terminal stage with extensive loss of basic cognitive functions, i.e., AD-dementia. Positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers have been developed in a search to meet the increasing clinical need of early detection and treatment monitoring for AD, with reference to the pathophysiological targets in Alzheimer's brain. These include the pathological aggregations of misfolded proteins such as β-amyloid (Aβ) plagues and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), impaired neurotransmitter system, neuroinflammation, as well as deficient synaptic vesicles and glucose utilization. In this article we survey the various PET radiotracers available for AD imaging and discuss their clinical applications especially in terms of early detection and cognitive relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqi Bao
- PET Center, Huanshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Xie
- PET Center, Huanshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuantao Zuo
- PET Center, Huanshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihui Guan
- PET Center, Huanshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiyun Henry Huang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, PET Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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11
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Yap SY, Frias B, Wren MC, Schöll M, Fox NC, Årstad E, Lashley T, Sander K. Discriminatory ability of next-generation tau PET tracers for Alzheimer's disease. Brain 2021; 144:2284-2290. [PMID: 33742656 PMCID: PMC8453387 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A next generation of tau PET tracers for the imaging of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias has recently been developed. Whilst the new compounds have now entered clinical studies, there is limited information available to assess their suitability for clinical applications. Head-to-head comparisons are urgently needed to understand differences in the radiotracer binding profiles. We characterized the binding of the tau tracers PI2620, RO948, MK6240 and JNJ067 in human post-mortem brain tissue from a cohort of 25 dementia cases and age-matched controls using quantitative phosphorimaging with tritium-labelled radiotracers in conjunction with phospho-tau specific immunohistochemistry. The four radiotracers depicted tau inclusions composed of paired helical filaments with high specificity, both in cases with Alzheimer’s disease and in primary tauopathy cases with concomitant Alzheimer’s disease pathology. In contrast, cortical binding to primary tauopathy in cases without paired helical filament tau was found to be within the range of age-matched controls. Off-target binding to monoamine oxidase B has been overcome, as demonstrated by heterologous blocking studies in basal ganglia tissue. The high variability of cortical tracer binding within the Alzheimer’s disease group followed the same pattern with each tracer, suggesting that all compounds are suited to differentiate Alzheimer’s disease from other dementias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Y Yap
- Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Imaging, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Barbara Frias
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Melissa C Wren
- Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Imaging, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK.,Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Schöll
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.,Dementia Research Centre, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nick C Fox
- Dementia Research Centre, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Erik Årstad
- Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Imaging, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tammaryn Lashley
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kerstin Sander
- Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Imaging, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
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12
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Abstract
Pathological accumulated misfolded tau underlies various neurodegenerative diseases and associated clinical syndromes. To diagnose those diseases reliable before death or even at early stages, many different tau-specific radiotracers have been developed in the last decade to be used with positron-emission-tomography. In contrast to amyloid-β imaging, different isoforms of tau exist further complicating radiotracer development. First-generation radiotracers like [11C]PBB3, [18F]AV1451 and [18F]THK5351 have been extensively investigated in vitro and in vivo. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), high specific binding could be detected, and evidence of clinical applicability recently led to clinical approval of [18F]flortaucipir ([18F]AV1451) by the FDA. Nevertheless, absent or minor binding to non-AD tau isoforms and high off-target binding to non-tau brain structures limit the diagnostic applicability especially in non-AD tauopathies demanding further tracer development. In vitro assays and autoradiography results of next-generation radiotracers [18F]MK-6240, [18F]RO-948, [18F]PM-PBB3, [18F]GTP-1 and [18F]PI-2620 clearly indicate less off-target binding and high specific binding to tau neurofibrils. First in human studies have been conducted with promising results for all tracers in AD patients, and also some positive experience in non-AD tauopathies. Overall, larger scaled autoradiography and human studies are needed to further evaluate the most promising candidates and support future clinical approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Beyer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Matthias Brendel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.
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