Ultralow-dose amyloid PET with 18F‑Florbetapir or 18F‑Flutemetamol

Evaluation of Ultralow Dose PET Imaging for Detecting Amyloid Tracer Uptake

Phase 2 Interventional Nuclear Imaging Institute · NCT07012993

This trial will try using a very small amount of an amyloid PET tracer with a high-sensitivity PET scanner to see if clear brain images can be made for people with Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment, other dementias, and healthy volunteers.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 120 Years
SexAll
SponsorNuclear Imaging Institute Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations1 site (Englewood, New Jersey)
Trial IDNCT07012993 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Participants will receive a much smaller than usual injection of an FDA‑approved amyloid tracer (18F‑Florbetapir or 18F‑Flutemetamol) and be imaged on a high-sensitivity PET scanner for up to three hours. Investigators will vary timing, scan duration, and image reconstruction methods to determine whether image quality can be maintained while reducing radiation dose by roughly 10–100 fold. The study enrolls adults with Alzheimer disease, mild cognitive impairment, other dementias, and healthy volunteers to compare tracer uptake and image clarity across groups. The primary aim is to develop protocols that allow diagnostically useful amyloid images at substantially lower radiation exposure.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with Alzheimer disease, mild cognitive impairment, other dementias, or healthy volunteers who can give informed consent, are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and can tolerate PET scanning are eligible.

Not a fit: People who have exceeded allowable research radiation exposure, are pregnant or breastfeeding, cannot tolerate PET scanning due to claustrophobia or pain, or cannot consent may not benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the technique could enable much lower‑radiation amyloid PET scans that are safer and could be used more frequently for diagnosis and monitoring.

How similar studies have performed: Prior pilot work and studies using high-sensitivity and total‑body PET systems have shown promise for reducing dose, but the extreme 10–100× ultralow dosing tested here remains novel and not yet established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Age ≥18 years; Ability to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures; For female participants: Must not be pregnant or breastfeeding; Negative pregnancy test required for women of childbearing potential.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants who have exceeded NRC regulation for annual radiation exposure from prior research-related scans, including this study (50 millisievert \[mSv\] total); More than four prior enrollments in this study; Participants with severe claustrophobia, chronic pain, or musculoskeletal conditions that prevent completion of the PET scan; Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals (negative pregnancy test required); Inability to provide informed consent; Any condition that, in the investigator's judgment, may compromise participant safety or study integrity.

Where this trial is running

Englewood, New Jersey

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Alzheimer DiseaseMild Cognitive ImpairmentDementiaHealthy VolunteersAmyloidPETultralow dosePET/CT
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.