Principal Investigators


Paul Edison

Institution


Imperial College London

Contact information of lead PI


Country


United Kingdom

Title of project or programme


Evaluation of tau aggregation detected by novel tau tracer, [18F]T807 PET in mild cognitive impairment subjects: a preliminary collaborative PET study.

Source of funding information


Alzheimer's Research UK

Total sum awarded (Euro)


€ 329,019

Start date of award


01/09/2014

Total duration of award in years


4.6

Keywords


Research Abstract


Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterised by the presence of aggregated “amyloid” and “tau” proteins in the brain associated with inflammation and brain cell damage. Some people with mild memory problems alone (MCI subjects) who have abnormal amyloid deposition can go on to develop AD. These patients may also have evidence of abnormal tau aggregation in their cells. For some years we have been able to image brain amyloid and detect brain inflammation using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). In the last two years, novel imaging agents have been developed to detect aggregated tau protein in the brain. We now propose to investigate the relationship between the presence of abnormal amyloid and tau deposition in the brain and levels of inflammation in AD and MCI subjects and healthy controls using PET scanning. We will also be able to determine whether brain inflammation, amyloid deposition, or abnormal tau formation happens first in MCI subjects. This will reveal underlying disease mechanisms in AD, and increase our understanding of whether brain inflammation causes abnormal tau formation or whether neuroinflammation is secondary to abnormal tau formation. This will form the basis of future treatment decisions using anti-microglial and anti-tau agents in treatment of this disease.

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