Comparing and standardizing PET brain scans that detect tau in Alzheimer's
Longitudinal multicenter head-to-head harmonization of tau PET tracers
This project compares two common PET tracers that detect tau protein to make tau brain scans more consistent for people with or at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11409229 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will collect PET brain scans over time at multiple centers using the two widely used tau tracers ([18F]Flortaucipir and [18F]MK-6240) to compare how each one images tau. They will look at differences like off-target signals and dynamic range and may scan the same people across tracers or harmonize results across sites. The team will develop methods to convert or standardize readings so results from different tracers and centers are comparable. That harmonization will help clinicians and researchers combine data from many sites and track tau changes more reliably over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or older adults at risk who can undergo PET imaging and attend follow-up visits at participating research centers are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who cannot travel to participating centers, who are unable or unwilling to have PET scans, or whose symptoms are unrelated to tau pathology may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: More consistent and reliable tau PET scan results that can improve diagnostic clarity, tracking of disease progression, and measurement of treatment effects for people with Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: Prior single-center and tracer-specific studies have shown meaningful tau imaging patterns, but large multicenter head-to-head harmonization across these two tracers is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pascoal, Tharick — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Pascoal, Tharick
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.