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In vivo coupling of tau pathology and cortical thinning in Alzheimer's disease.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Bethlehem, Richard AI 
Romero-Garcia, Rafael 
Cervenka, Simon 

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The deposition of neurofibrillary tangles in neurodegenerative disorders is associated with neuronal loss on autopsy; however, their in vivo associations with atrophy across the continuum of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain unclear. METHODS: We estimated cortical thickness, tau ([18F]-AV-1451), and amyloid β (Aβ) status ([11C]-PiB) in 47 subjects who were stratified into Aβ- (14 healthy controls and six mild cognitive impairment-Aβ-) and Aβ+ (14 mild cognitive impairment-Aβ+ and 13 AD) groups. RESULTS: Compared with the Aβ- group, tau was increased in widespread regions whereas cortical thinning was restricted to the temporal cortices. Increased tau binding was associated with cortical thinning in each Aβ group. Locally, regional tau was associated with temporoparietal atrophy. DISCUSSION: These findings position tau as a promising therapeutic target. Further studies are needed to elucidate the casual relationships between tau pathology and trajectories of atrophy in AD.

Description

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease, Amyloid, Atrophy, Cortical thickness, MRI, Positron emission tomography, Tau

Journal Title

Alzheimers Dement (Amst)

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2352-8729
2352-8729

Volume Title

10

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (unknown)
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (via Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) (DTC-RP-PG-0311-12001)
Wellcome Trust (103838/Z/14/Z)
Medical Research Council (MR/K02308X/1)
Medical Research Council (G1100464)
Medical Research Council (MR/M009041/1)
Medical Research Council (MC_U105597119)
Medical Research Council (MR/M024873/1)
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00005/12)
Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centre; Wellcome Turst, MRC, ARUK