18F-FDG PET in detection of primary age-related tauopathy (PART) - Is there a role? Insights from an imaging-pathology correlation study.

INTRODUCTION

Primary age-related tauopathy (PART) is defined by neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) with absent-minimal amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques. Currently, definitive diagnosis of PART occurs with autopsy. This study investigated whether [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) could detect PART-related metabolic changes and assessed the impact of common co-pathologies.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of 88 individuals (mean age 85.6) with autopsy-confirmed PART (Braak I to IV; Thal phases 0 to 2) who underwent ante mortem FDG-PET. Visual ratings and standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) were analyzed in medial and lateral temporal lobes, inferior temporal pole, precuneus, and posterior cingulate regions.

RESULTS

Medial temporal hypometabolism was observed in PART, in the presence of co-pathologies. Argyrophilic grain disease and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 were associated with greater hypometabolism (p < 0.01). Lewy body disease affected parietal regions.

DISCUSSION: FDG-PET reveals that PART-related hypometabolism occurs when co-pathologies are present, but PART alone appears to have minimal effect on medial temporal lobe hypometabolism.

HIGHLIGHTS: FDG-PET hypometabolism worsens with Braak NFT stage. FDG-PET detects mild lateral temporal lobe hypometabolism in PART alone. PART alone has a minimal effect on medial temporal lobe hypometabolism. Medial temporal hypometabolism is worse in PART with TDP-43 and especially AGD. The presence of LBD contributes to parietal hypometabolism on FGD-PET in PART.