Tau Networks in Psychotic Alzheimer's Disease
Northwell Health
Summary
This research project aims to understand the brain mechanisms behind the manifestation of psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer´s disease (AD), and nature of the unique relationship with tau pathology. Amongst the cognitive manifestations of psychosis are impairments related to frontal circuits (social cognition, working memory and executive function deficits). The investigator's previous work suggests a role of tau pathology (one of the hallmarks of AD neuropathology) in the manifestation of psychosis in AD. However, the cerebral mechanisms that underly this association remain poorly understood. The overarching aim of the study is is to investigate the mechanisms by which tau network pathology may promote the presentation of psychosis in AD.
Description
The specific aims of this application are: 1. To measure the regional distribution of tau aggregation in AD patients with psychosis (AD+P) compared to AD without psychosis (AD-P) and Cognitively Unimpaired Healthy (CUH) participants with the PET radiotracer \[18F\]-PI2620; 2. To measure structural and functional brain networks properties in AD+P compared to AD-P patients and CUH participants using MRI; 3. To examine the association of tau pathology with structural/functional network properties; electrophysiologic biomarkers of neurotransmission and neuroplasticity; and psychotic symptoms. The…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 65–85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria Alzheimer´s disease (AD) participants: * Age 65-85 years old. * Diagnosis of probable AD dementia according to National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) criteria. * Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 10 and ≤ 26 at the screening visit. * Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score ≥ 0.5. * Logical Memory delay score of ≤8 for 16+ years of education, ≤4 for 8-15 years of education, and ≤2 for 0-7 years of education Exclusion Criteria Alzheimer´s disease (AD) participants: * Rosen-modified Hachinski Ischemia Score \> 4 at the screening visit. * History…
Interventions
- Diagnostic Test[18F]-PI2620 PET scan
The PET scan will measure the regional distribution of tau aggregation in AD patients with and without psychosis compared to Cognitively Unimpaired Healthy participants with the PET radiotracer \[18F\]-PI2620.
Location
- The Feinstein Institutes for Medical ResearchManhasset, New York