EJNMMI Research (Aug 2019)

Voxel-based correlation of 18F-THK5351 accumulation and gray matter volume in the brain of cognitively normal older adults

  • Yoko Shigemoto,
  • Daichi Sone,
  • Miho Ota,
  • Norihide Maikusa,
  • Masayo Ogawa,
  • Kyoji Okita,
  • Harumasa Takano,
  • Koichi Kato,
  • Yukio Kimura,
  • Emiko Morimoto,
  • Fumio Suzuki,
  • Hiroyuki Fujii,
  • Noriko Sato,
  • Hiroshi Matsuda

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13550-019-0552-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 1
pp. 1 – 5

Abstract

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Abstract Backgrounds Although neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) mainly accumulate in the medial temporal lobe with human aging, only a few imaging studies have investigated correlations between NFT accumulation and gray matter (GM) volume in cognitively normal older adults. Here, we investigated the correlations between 18F-THK5351 accumulation and GM volume at the voxel level. Material and methods We recruited 47 amyloid-negative, cognitively normal, older adults (65.0 ± 7.9 years, 26 women), who underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging, 11C-Pittsburgh compound-B and 18F-THK5351 PET scans, and neuropsychological assessment. The magnetic resonance and 18F-THK5351 PET images were spatially normalized using Statistical Parametric Mapping 12. Voxel-wise correlations between 18F-THK5351 accumulation and GM volume were evaluated using the Biological Parametric Mapping toolbox. Results A significant negative correlation (p < 0.001) between 18F-THK5351 accumulation and GM volume was detected in the bilateral medial temporal lobes. Conclusions Voxel-wise correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between 18F-THK5351 accumulation and GM volume in the medial temporal lobe in individuals without amyloid-β deposits. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of primary age-related tauopathy in human aging.

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