Overview of tau PET molecular imaging.

Publication Type	Review
Authors	Cassinelli Petersen G, Roytman M, Chiang G, Li Y, Gordon M, Franceschi A
Journal	Curr Opin Neurol
Volume	35
Issue	2
Pagination	230-239
Date Published	04/01/2022
ISSN	1473-6551
Keywords	Alzheimer Disease, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tauopathies
Abstract	PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article reviews tau PET imaging with an emphasis on first-generation and second-generation tau radiotracers and their application in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and non-Alzheimer's disease tauopathies. RECENT FINDINGS: Tau is a critical protein, abundant in neurons within the central nervous system, which plays an important role in maintaining microtubules by binding to tubulin in axons. In its abnormal hyperphosphorylated form, accumulation of tau has been linked to a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, collectively referred to as tauopathies, which include Alzheimer's disease and non-Alzheimer's disease tauopathies [e.g., corticobasal degeneration (CBD), argyrophilic grain disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and Pick's disease]. A number of first-generation and second-generation tau PET radiotracers have been developed, including the first FDA-approved agent [18F]-flortaucipir, which allow for in-vivo molecular imaging of underlying histopathology antemortem, ultimately guiding disease staging and development of disease-modifying therapeutics. SUMMARY: Tau PET is an emerging imaging modality in the diagnosis and staging of tauopathies.
DOI	10.1097/WCO.0000000000001035
PubMed ID	35191407
PubMed Central ID	PMC9011369