Tau Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Imaging and Cognition
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- 18F-MK-6240
- Conditions
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Sponsor
- Yaakov Stern
- Enrollment
- 105
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Functional imaging (fMRI)
- Status
- Recruiting
- Last Updated
- 2 months ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The investigators aim to use the new PET radioligand, 18F-MK-6240, to detect tau pathology in cognitive healthy and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) elders. The investigators will then examine the interactions between differential tau burden and performance on cognitive tasks, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neural activation patterns, and other cognitive and behavioral measures. By investigating these relationships, the investigators hope to understand the cognitive and behavioral outcomes of tau deposition found in specific brain regions in cognitively normal/mildly cognitively impaired adults. Furthermore, the study aims to examine how the presence of tau may contribute to the risk of subsequent cognitive decline, neurodegeneration, and dementia.
Detailed Description
Many cognitively healthy older adults have, upon post mortem evaluations, been found to have varying amounts of neurofibrillary tangles (tau) and beta-amyloid plaque deposits, which are the hallmark brain pathologies known to be associated with Alzheimer's disease and various other dementias. While some with these pathologies may not clinically express cognitive decline or dementia in their lifetime, human post-mortem studies suggest that increasing neurofibrillary tangle density correlates with neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. Imaging tauopathy in-vivo provides an opportunity to examine neurocognitive correlates of differential levels of tauopathy in the brain, allowing to further qualify pre-clinical states of cognitive impairment. The investigators aim to investigate possible protective mechanisms, such as cognitive reserve, that may modulate the relationship between tauopathy and cognitive decline.
Investigators
Yaakov Stern
Professor of Neuropsychology
Columbia University
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Aged 55-90
- •Previously received an amyloid PET scan
- •Residing near Columbia University Medical Center
- •Must be willing and able to participate
Exclusion Criteria
- •Have a contraindication to PET (e.g, metallic implants, pacemaker, claustrophobia, or cannot lie flat for one hour)
- •Pregnancy
- •Lactating Women
- •Current, past, or anticipated exposure to radiation
- •Significant active physical illness
Arms & Interventions
Non-demented elders
Participants aged 55-90 that are cognitively normal or have mild cognitive impairment will receive 18F-MK-6240 to identify the presence of tau protein in the brain.
Intervention: 18F-MK-6240
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Functional imaging (fMRI)
Time Frame: Up to 5 years
Relation of Tau PET to imaging acquired during task performance
Total number of individuals with tau present
Time Frame: Up to 5 years
Based on the scans, the total number of subjects with identifiable tau in their scans will be measured.
Cognition
Time Frame: Up to 5 years
Relation of Tau PET to measures of cognition such as memory and reasoning