Journal of Clinical Neuroscience (2005) 12(3), 221–2300967-5868/$ - see front matter ª 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2004.03.011
Imaginem oblivionis: the prospects of neuroimaging for earlydetection of Alzheimer’s diseaseq,qq
Victor L. Villemagne1,2,3 MD, C.C. Rowe1,4 MD FRACP, S. Macfarlane2,3 FRANZCP, K.E. Novakovic1,3 BSC,C.L. Masters2,3 MD FRCPA
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Centre for PET, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia, 2Mental Health Research Institute, Parkville, Vic., Australia,3Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Vic., Australia, 4Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Vic., Australia
Summary Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the gradual onset of dementia. Thepathological hallmarks of the disease are Ab amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and reactive gliosis.
Current diagnosis of AD is made by clinical, neuropsychologic, and neuroimaging assessments. Routine structural neuroimaging evaluation
is based on non-specific features such as atrophy, a late feature in the progression of the disease, hence the crucial importance of developingnew approaches for early and specific recognition at the prodromal stages of AD.
Functional neuroimaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography
(SPECT) could prove to be valuable in the differential diagnosis of AD, as well as in assessing prognosis. With the advent of new therapeuticstrategies aimed at reducing the Ab amyloid burden in the brain, there is increasing interest in the development of PET and SPECT radioligandsthat will permit the assessment of Ab amyloid burden in vivo. From this, the prospect of specific preclinical diagnosis arises, possibly inconjuction with other related Ab biomarkers in plasma and CSF. ª 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: functional neuroimaging, Alzheimer’s disease, Ab amyloid, PET, SPECT
criteria followed in most research studies are those proposed bythe National Institute of Neurological and Communicative
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative
Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders
disorder characterised by the gradual onset of dementia,1 leading
invariably to death, usually between 7 and 10 years after diag-
nosis. Age is the major risk factor. AD is the leading cause of
A variable period of prodromal decline in cognition of up to
dementia in the elderly and affects about 5% of individuals at age
five years usually precedes the formal diagnosis of AD. This
65, with its prevalence increasing exponentially with each suc-
stage, known as Minimal Cognitive Impairment (MCI), is char-
cessive decade, with 10–15% and 20–30% of 75- and 85-year olds
acterized by a relatively isolated impairment in long term memory
and may also be accompanied by impairments of working mem-ory (Table 2). These deficits presumably relate to damage to the
medial temporal lobe and/or specific prefrontal–temporal lobe
circuits. About 40–60% of carefully characterized subjects with
The clinical diagnosis of AD is currently based on progressive
MCI will subsequently progress to meet criteria for AD over a 3–
memory impairment and decline in at least one other cognitive
domain, and by excluding other diseases such as frontotemporal
dementia, dementia with Lewy-bodies (DLB), stroke, brain tu-mour, normal pressure hydrocephalus or depression, that might
While mutations of the PS-1, PS-2,11 and amyloid precursor
protein (APP) genes – resulting in increased production and ele-
The clinical diagnostic accuracy for AD depends on the stage
vated plasma levels of amyloid-b protein – on chromosomes 1, 14,
of disease and can exceed 90% in academic settings in mid or late
and 21, respectively, have been associated with the rare form of
stages.4 Diagnostic criteria for AD have been proposed within
familial AD, the only consistent marker for the late-onset non-
both the DSM5 and ICD classification systems.6 However, the
familial form of dementia is the apolipoprotein e allele on chro-mosome 19.12 This refers specifically to the e4 allele, though it is
absent in approximately 30–40% of patients with AD and present
Supported in part by grants from the National Health and Medical
in about 30% of healthy subjects.13 On the other hand, the e3
Research Council of Australia, Prana Biotechnology and Schering AG. qq
allele is believed to represent no increased or decreased risk, while
Quo pacto dicam imaginem oblivionis teneri memoria mea, non ipsam
the e2 allele may confer some protection.14
oblivionem, cum eam memini? (How can I assert that the image of oblivionis retained by my memory, and not oblivion itself, when I remember it?) St
Augustine. Confessiones. Liber X, Caput 16.
By means of clinical, laboratory, and imaging evidence only a
provisional diagnosis of either possible or probable AD can bemade in living subjects. In the absence of biologic markers, direct
Correspondence to: Dr. Victor L. Villemagne MD, Department of Nuclear
pathologic examination of brain tissue derived from either biopsy
Medicine, Centre for PET, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Vic.
3084, Australia. Tel.: +61-3-9496-3321; Fax: +61-3-9458-5023;
or autopsy remains the only definitive method for establishing a
NINCDS-ARDA criteria defining probable AD
are most easily identified in the hippocampus. NFTs are notspecific to AD and are found in a variety of other neurodegen-
Dementia established by clinical examination and documented by the
erative conditions such as Down's syndrome, subacute sclerosing
mini-mental test (MMSE), Blessed Dementia scale, or similar examination,
panencephalitis, Hallervorden-Spatz disease, Parkinson dementia
and confirmed by neuropsychological tests;
complex, and dementia pugilistica.15;20 A number of in vitro and in
Deficits in two or more areas of cognition; Progressive worsening of memory and other cognitive functions;
vivo studies have shown Ab protein to be directly toxic to neu-
rons, leading to the aggregation and secondary phosphorylation of
Onset between ages of 40 and 90, most often after age 65;
Absence of other systemic disorders or brain diseases that in and of
themselves could account for the progressive deficits in memory andcognition.
Amyloid plaques are extracellular aggregations of amyloid proteinof about 50–100 lm in diameter intimately surrounded by dys-
trophic axons and dendrites, reactive astrocytes, and activatedmicroglia. Though mainly located in the amygdala and hippo-
Memory complaint (subjective memory impairment)
campus, they are present throughout the cortex.19 The primary
Normal activities of daily living (ADL)
component of the plaque is the amyloid b protein (Ab), a 40–43
amino acid peptide (4 kDa) product of the proteolytic cleavage of
APP by b- or c-secretases.22;23 The peptide is referred to as “b”amyloid due to its secondary structure of b-pleated sheets. Ab isnot only found within senile plaques, but is also present around
The typical macroscopic picture is gross cortical atrophy.
cortical arterioles as a congophilic angiopathy.
Microscopically, there is widespread cellular degeneration and
Although it is as yet unproven whether the increased produc-
neuronal loss that affects primarily the outer three layers of the
tion, precipitation, and progressive deposition of Ab is causative
cerebral cortex, initially affecting more the temporal and frontal
in terms of the pathogenesis of AD,24 or merely an epiphenome-
cortical regions subserving cognition than the parietal and
non of the disease process, the Ab theory of AD is the dominant
occipital cortices. These changes are accompanied by reactive
etiologic paradigm at this time. Genetic mutations within the APP
gliosis and by the presence of the pathological hallmarks of the
gene cause rare cases of early-onset familial AD, and other
disease, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and extracel-
causative mutations within genes associated with the c secretase
complex (presenilin 1, 2) are the most convincing evidence thatAb production is the causative factor at the centre of AD patho-genesis. While the exact mechanism by which Ab might produce
cell death is controversial, it is believed that a toxic oxidative
Neurofibrillary tangles are intraneuronal bundles of paired helical
interaction between Ab and various metal species leads to lipid
filaments. The main structural component of NFTs is a normal
damaging and/or oxidative response with free radical production
constituent of cellular microtubules but present in AD in an
leading to progressive disruption of neuronal function and ulti-
abnormally phosphorylated form, known as Tau protein.18;19 They
Neurofibrillary tanglesand neuropil threads
Schematical representation of the cascade of events leading to Ab deposition and oxidative injury.
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience (2005) 12(3), 221–230
ª 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Structural neuroimaging techniques, such as computed tomogra-
phy (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are routinely
used in the clinical evaluation of AD patients.
Widespread cortical atrophy with a thinning of medial tem-
poral lobe structures are the most consistent structural neuroim-aging findings associated with AD,26 though not pathognomonicof the disease because there is overlap with “normal” aging.
tissue of AD patients can be obtained non-invasively through
CT is mainly used to exclude other treatable causes of
proton MRS.47 Some MRS studies have shown regional decreases
dementia.27 Studies reporting AD-related changes found that
in NAA in patients with AD in temporal and parietal cortices,48–51
whilst all dementia groups tended to display greater medial tem-
while also demonstrating a positive correlation between the de-
poral lobe (MTL) atrophy on CT compared to the depressed pa-
gree of NAA reductions and disease severity by neuropathologic
tient group, MTL atrophy was unable to discriminate between
criteria.52;53 MRS has also been applied to monitor response to
therapeutic interventions in AD.54;55 Patients with AD showed
MRI has been used to examine atrophy of the entorhinal,
significantly higher mean diffusibility in hippocampus, cingulate,
perirhinal, and temporal cortices in patients with early AD,29
temporal, and parietal white matter than a control group using
where the severity of volume loss was correlated with disease
diffusion weighted MR imaging,56 while diffusion tensor MR
severity. These regions were also found to be reduced in both MCI
imaging has shown diffuse reduction in white matter integrity in
and AD compared to controls in AD.30;31 Both conditions were
also significantly associated with cortical grey matter loss and
Both PET and SPECT are molecular imaging techniques that
ventricular enlargement. Other studies32 suggested that measure-
use radiolabelled tracers to evaluate biological processes in
ments of hippocampal changes were more practical and useful.
vivo43;58;59 (Table 3). These techniques already play a role in the
Hippocampal and parahippocampal volume loss was signifi-
differential diagnosis of AD from other dementing conditions such
cantly greater in patients with AD than in patients with DLB33
as vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, DLB, and
consistent with the relative preservation of memory that is seen in
PET is a sensitive molecular imaging technique that allows in
Volumetric changes on MRI are entirely consistent with the
vivo quantification in absolute values of the concentration of a
patterns of neuropathological progression in AD, with damage to
radiotracer, where either the radiotracer bears the same bio-
the medial temporal lobe and association cortex accounting for the
chemical structure or is an analog, or is a substrate of the chemical
classical patterns of cognitive impairment that are commonly
process being evaluated, allowing the in vivo assessment of the
observed in AD.34;35 Substantial neuronal loss occurred by the
molecular process at their sites of action.58 With a theoretical
time atrophy is detectable by MRI.36;37 Furthermore, the absence
spatial resolution of 3–4 mm, which in practice translates to 5–6
of cortical atrophy or medial temporal lobe changes is not suffi-
mm, and an exquisite sensitivity (detecting concentrations in the
picomolar range), the technique may permit detection of disease
The fact that structural changes at visual inspection are not
processes at asymptomatic stages when there is no evidence of
evident until late in the course of the disease has prompted the
anatomic changes on CT and MRI. Several studies have evaluated
development and refinement of more sophisticated techniques,
regional cerebral glucose metabolism with fluorodeoxyglucose
such as serial volumetric imaging and voxel compression sub-
(FDG) and PET. A typical pattern of reduced temporoparietal
traction, by emphasizing a quantitative approach capable of
FDG uptake with sparing of the basal ganglia, thalamus,
revealing subtle changes over time. The sophisticated and time
cerebellum, and primary sensorimotor cortex (Fig. 2) has been
consuming nature of these procedures precludes at this point the useof these approaches as useful diagnostic tools for work-up in thepatient with probable or possible AD (for extensive review see 38).
More sensitive functional imaging modalities, such as functionalMR imaging (fMRI), MR Perfusion, MR Spectroscopy (MRS),MR Diffusion weighted imaging, positron emission tomography(PET), and single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT), have the capability to identify subtle pathophysiologicchanges in the brain, before structural changes are pres-ent,29;32;36;39–42 therefore possessing greater potential for accurateand early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and bettertreatment follow-up.43
While fMRI detects regional changes in deoxyhemoglobin
concentration reflecting focal brain activity in response to avariety of stimuli and memory tasks,44 MR Perfusion has beenshown to have about 85–95% sensitivity for patients with mild ormoderate AD with a range of 88–95% specificity.45;46 Estimation
Representative SPECT regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF, left), PET
of regional metabolite levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), gluta-
regional metabolic rates of glucose (rCMRglc, center), and PET nicotinic
mine and glutamate, c-aminobutyric acid, myo-inositol, glycine,
receptor (nAChR, right) transaxial images in control subjects (top row) and
choline, creatine and phosphocreatine, lipids, and lactate in brain
Alzheimer’s patients (bottom row).
ª 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience (2005) 12(3), 221–230
described in patients with AD and not in age-matched control
subjects nor in patients with other forms of dementia.60;61 Though
Extracellular amyloid plaques are the hallmark brain lesions of
still not totally accepted as part of the AD patient diagnostic work-
sporadic Alzheimer's disease. These microscopic Ab aggregates91
up,62 there is mounting evidence suggesting that incorporation of
are well beyond the resolution of the usual neuroimaging tech-
FDG–PET into the diagnostic work-up of patients with early
niques used for the evaluation of patients with AD. Furthermore,
symptoms of cognitive decline might improve diagnostic and
current techniques focus on non-specific features derived mainly
prognostic accuracy, thereby reducing both disease and treatment-
from neuronal loss and atrophy, which are late features in the
related morbidity of patients with dementia.63 After examining
progression of the disease, and are secondary to the basic func-
129 cognitively impaired patients, the overall sensitivity for
tional alteration. However, the distribution and density of both
detecting temporoparietal hypometabolism by PET in patients
diffuse and Ab plaques at the light microscopic level have not
with probable AD was 94%.60 Significantly lower temporoparietal
been consistently shown to correlate with the presence or severity
metabolic activity was found in asymptomatic subjects with the
of dementia.92;93 The best correlation occurs with soluble levels of
apolipoprotein e4 allele than in those without the allele.64;65 In a
Ab, measured biochemically.91 Soluble Ab is in equilibrium with
multicenter study the prognostic value of FDG–PET showed a
insoluble Ab in the plaques. Since Ab is at the centre of patho-
high degree of sensitivity (93%) and moderate specificity (73%)
genesis, many efforts are now focused in developing a radiotracer
for prediction of progressive dementia.66 Posterior cingulate and
temporoparietal hypometabolism was observed in MCI patients
For a radioligand to be useful as a neuroimaging probe for Ab,
when compared to controls. Progression of some of these patients
a number of key general properties must be present (Table 4).
to probable AD showed an additional bilateral hypometabolism in
These Ab probes must be small lipophilic molecules that cross the
prefrontal areas, with further reductions in the posterior cingulate
blood–brain barrier (BBB) and bind to Ab in a specific and
and parietal cortex, while no such changes were observed in the
selective fashion. Several such molecules, modified to enhance
BBB permeability, show promise as PET or SPECT ligands.
SPECT studies evaluating regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)
Several compounds have been evaluated as potential Ab probes:
have shown a similar pattern as the one described for PET–FDG
derivatives of histopathological dyes such as Congo red and
studies, with relative rCBF paucity in the temporoparietal re-
Chrysamine-G, as well as self-associating Ab amyloid fragments
gions59;68 (Fig. 2). It has also been used for the differential diag-
nosis of dementia.68–72 In a study with histologic confirmation in70 patients with dementia and 85 control subjects,73 a positiveSPECT scan increased the pre-test probability from 84% to 92%
in patients with a clinical diagnosis of “probable AD” and from
It has been known since the 1930s that Ab amyloid plaques
67% to 84% in patients with “possible AD.” A negative SPECT
present in postmortem AD brain tissue can be stained for histo-
scan decreased the probability from 84% to 70% in patients with
logical examination with Congo red or Chrysamine-G. Klunk and
“probable AD” and from 67% to 52% in patients with “possible
colleagues95–97 have developed numerous Congo red derivatives
AD.” In a prospective study with histologic confirmation of over
for potential use as in vivo Ab amyloid probes, but as relatively
200 dementia cases and 119 control cases,74 SPECT rCBF eval-
large and acidic compounds, their ability to cross the blood–brain
uation allowed differentiation of patients with AD from control
barrier was found to be marginal at best. Recently they have de-
subjects with high sensitivity and specificity (89% and 80%,
scribed an 11C-labelled methoxy derivative of Congo red [1,4-
respectively). On the other hand, patients with MCI followed up
bis(40-hydroxystyryl)-2-methoxybenzene] or methoxy-X04 that
for three years failed to show a correlation between the presence
has much more favourable blood–brain barrier penetration and
of a SPECT abnormality at baseline examination and subsequent
whose fluorescent properties make it suitable for in vivo dem-
cognitive decline in MMSE score,75 while another study showed
onstration of Ab accumulation in PS1/APP transgenic mice with
more prominent rCBF decreases in mesial temporal lobe and
multiphoton microscopy, allowing visualization of individual 1
cingulate gyrus in MCI subjects who subsequently converted to
lm plaques within 30–60 min. It was concluded that 11C-labelled
AD over a period of 1–2 years.76 Similar reductions were also
Methoxy-X04 is a viable candidate as an in vivo Ab amyloid
present in asymptomatic subjects with the PS-1 gene mutation, as
imaging agent.98 Thioflavin T derivatives have shown even more
favourable Ab binding characteristics.99–107 PET studies of 16 AD
PET and SPECT can also assess neurotransmitter systems in
patients and nine control subjects with 11C N-methyl-[11C]2-(4-
vivo. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been
methylaminophenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole
implicated in a variety of central processes, such as memory and
prominent retention in cortical (such as frontal, parietal, occipital,
cognition78;79 (Fig. 2). Abnormally low densities of nAChRs
and temporal cortices) and subcortical (striatum) areas known to
have been measured in vitro in autopsy brain tissue of AD pa-
contain high concentrations of Ab amyloid deposits, while similar
tients. There is a great interest to develop radiotracers to image
PIB retention was observed in both AD patients and controls in
nAChRs non-invasively in order to evaluate receptor impair-
areas known for low Ab amyloid deposition (such as white matter
ments even at a presymptomatic stage of AD as well as moni-
toring drug treatment outcomes.80–84 PET studies revealed a
Synthesis and initial characterization of 125I bromostyrylben-
reduced uptake and binding of 11C-nicotine in the temporal and
zene (BSB) probes were described by Kung and colleagues.109–111
frontal cortices of AD patients.79;85;86 Treatment with cholinergicdrugs in AD patients could lead to recovery of the nAChRs in
Ideal characteristics for Ab amyloid radiotracer
the brain, as visualized by PET. Tacrine treatment increasedcerebral blood flow, cerebral glucose utilization, and uptake of
Bind selectively and specifically to Ab
[11C]nicotine to the brain paralleled by improvement in neuro-
Bind preferably in a reversible fashion
psychological performance. Changes in nicotinic receptors and
Readily cross the BBB Minimal systemic metabolism
blood flow were observed after three weeks of treatment, while
Provide high signal (Ab) to noise (background, non-specific binding) ratio
changes in glucose metabolism were measured after three
Provide quantitative reproducible information about total Ab amyloid burden
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience (2005) 12(3), 221–230
ª 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Partial list of PET and SPECT Ab amyloid tracers
[18F]FDDND, 2-(1-{6-[(2-[18F]-fluoroethyl)(methyl)-amino]-2-naphthalen})-
0.12 Æ 0.02Low affinity site,1.86 Æ 0.22
[18F]FENE, 1-{6-[(2[18F]-fluoroethyl)(methyl)-amino]naphthalen-2-yl]}ethanone
High affinity site,0.16 Æ 0.09Low affinity site,71.2 Æ 8.6
[11C], 6-Me-BTA-0 2-(40-aminophenyl)-6-methyl-benzothiazole
[11C], 6-Me-BTA-2 2-[40-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-6-methylbenzothiazole
[11C], 6-Me-BTA-1 2-(40-methylaminophenyl)-6-methyl-benzothiazole
[11C]BTA-1, 2-(40-methylaminophenyl)-benzothiazole
[11C]6-OH-BTA-1, 2-(40-methylaminophenyl)-6-hydroxy-benzothiazole
[123I/125I]BTA, 2-(30-iodo-40-aminophenyl-6-hydroxy-benzothiazole
[125I]TZDM, 2-[40-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-6-iodo-benzothiazole
[125I]TZPI, 2-[40-(40000-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-6-iodobenzothiazole
[125I]IMSB, (E,E)-1-iodo-2,5-bis(3-hydrocarbonyl-4-methoxy)-styrylbenzene
[125I]ISB, (E,E)-1-iodo-2,5-bis(3-hydrocarbonyl-4-hydroxy)-styrylbenzene
[125I]BSB, 1-bromo-2,5-bis-(3-hydrocarbonyl-4-hydroxy)-styrylbenzene
[125I]IBOX, 2-(40-dimethylaminophenyl)-6-iodo-benzoxazole
[123I/125I]IMPY, 6-iodo-2-(40-dimethylamino)phenyl-imidazo-[1,2-a] pyridine
BSB (trans,trans)-1-Bromo-2,5-bis-(3-Hydroxycarbonyl-4-Hydroxy) Styrylbenzene
[11C]Methoxy-XO4, 1,4-bis(40-hydroxy-styryl)-2-methoxy-benzene
[111In]-DTPA- Ab ð3–40Þ Diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid
PBN N-tert-butyl-a-phenylnitrore “20,70-dichlorodihydrofluorescein &
[18F]BF-108, 3-(2-[18F] fluoroethyl)-ethylamino-6-diethyl-aminoacridine
Other BSB isomers were radio-labelled by the same group and
slower clearance of [18F]FDDNP than controls in brain areas such
their in vitro binding properties to postmortem AD tissues
as the hippocampus most affected by plaque deposition. Retention
assessed.112–114 All these compounds were found to strongly bind
time of [18F]FDDNP in these brain regions was correlated with
to Ab amyloid plaques as assessed by fluorescent microscopy, but
lower memory performance scores in patients with AD.129
displayed low in vivo brain uptake. Some additional limitations tothe potential use of styrylbenzene derivatives for human in vivo
amyloid imaging were described where BSB was shown to notonly bind to Ab amyloid deposits, but also to neurofibrillary
Anti-Ab monoclonal antibodies that bind to specific epitopes
tangles, neuropil threads, hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and
within Ab amyloid fibrils have been developed and used to image
Lewy Bodies (synuclein proteins) and related cytoplasmic inclu-
amyloid deposits in human brains tissue in vitro.130;131 Because
sions that are found in multisystem atrophy.115 Based on these
antibodies are poorly delivered into the CNS when administered
findings, new PET and SPECT potential compounds are now
peripherally, they have usually failed as tracers for in vivo brain
being further characterized by this group.116–122
Observations that Ab is a self-aggregating peptide with a very
high affinity to itself led to the assessment of radio-labelled modified
Ab fragments as in vivo probes132–136, but met with limited success
A very lipophilic radiofluorinated 6-dialkylamino-2-naphthyethy-
because of poor BBB penetration and rapid degradation.137;138
lidene derivative that presents nanomolar affinity to two distinct
Other accessory Ab plaque molecules such as serum amyloid P
binding sites on Ab fibrils was developed and characterized by
and basic fibroblast growth factor,139 a variety of other small
Barrio and colleagues.123–125 2-(1-{6-[(2-[18F]Fluoroethyl) (me-
compounds such as analogs of acridine orange,140 and 20,70-
thyl) amino]-2naphthyl}ethylidene) malononitrile or [18F]FDDNP
dichlorodihydrofluorescein and 10-acetyl-3,7-dihydroxyphenox-
is reported to bind both the extracellular Ab plaques and the intra-
azine which become fluorescent after oxidation141 have been also
cellular NFTs in AD126 while also binding to prion plaques from
Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease.127 [18F]FDDNP was used to obtain thefirst human PET images of Ab in an 82-year-old woman with AD.
Briefly, [18F]FDDNP showed a differential clearance, being slowerfrom areas of plaque deposition, such as the hippocampus, as
Neuronal degeneration with impairment in cholinergic transmis-
pathologically confirmed later at postmortem examination.128
sion in hippocampal and cortical areas associated with memory and
In a follow-up study, both AD patients (n ¼ 9) and control
cognition are characteristic of AD. No current therapy has been
subjects (n ¼ 7) underwent [18F]FDDNP PET studies.126 The pa-
shown to halt or reverse the underlying disease process. Though
tients with AD again demonstrated higher accumulation and
now approved for AD, the cholinesterase inhibitors tacrine,
ª 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience (2005) 12(3), 221–230
Potential applications of Ab amyloid radiotracers
homogenized postmortem human brain samples.147 Cherny andcolleagues147 tested the efficacy of CQ in transgenic Tg2576 mice,
expressing mutant APP protein and which develop Ab amyloid
deposits, and showed a dramatic 49% decrease in brain Ab
Treatment follow-up Elucidate the relationship between symptomatology and Ab amyloid burden
deposition after nine weeks of oral treatment. Furthermore, the
treated animals showed improvements of other general parameters(body weight, alertness, motor activity, etc.), though they did notlive longer.
donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine only provide patients
Based on this therapeutic approach, we have been developing a
with modest relief to their symptoms.142 Recently, the non-com-
method for direct and quantitative in vivo evaluation of amyloid
petitive NMDA antagonist memantine has been proposed as a safe
burden using the metal binding sites of Ab as targets for in vivo
and effective symptomatic treatment of AD patients.143 Other ap-
probes. Studies with 123=125I-labelled CQ in mice and human brain
proaches to alter the progression of AD involve the use of estrogen,
homogenates commenced, with the aim of using 123I-CQ as an
antioxidants (alone or in combination with selegiline), or non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Potentially, the most promisingstrategy would involve retarding, halting, or even reversing the
process that leads to the formation of Ab plaques.142;144
Because we are now approaching a point at which several
While clinical criteria together with current structural neuroim-
pharmacological agents aimed at reducing levels of Ab in the
aging techniques (CT or MRI) are sensitive and specific enough
brain are being developed and tested, the importance of the in vivo
for the diagnosis of AD at the mid or late stages of the disease, the
evaluation of the Ab amyloid burden is highlighted (Table 6).
development of a reliable method of assessing Ab amyloid burden
Given the evidence that levels of soluble Ab correlate with
in vivo may permit early diagnosis at presymptomatic stages,
disease severity91;145 and that the Ab amyloid is probably the main
more accurate differential diagnosis, while also allowing treat-
neurotoxic factor in the development of AD, two basic strategies
have been proposed in order to reduce or remove Ab from the
The criteria for the diagnosis, management, and early detection
brain: immunization146 and breaking the pathway that leads to Ab
of dementia62;167;168 published by the American Academy of
Neurology Quality Standards Subcommittee supports the use of
The first approach, which has been shown to be effective in
CT and MRI in the work-up of the patient with dementia, while
mice models of AD, relies on either precipitating an active im-
recommending further research to determine the utility of other
mune response against the Ab,146;148;149 or the passive adminis-
neuroimaging modalities such as PET and, to a lesser degree
tration of specific anti-Ab antibodies.150;151
SPECT.62 Though FDG PET is mainly used in the differential
Based on the role that metal ions may play in the biochemical
diagnosis of AD, it is the neuroimaging technique that has been
processes associated with Ab deposition and neurotoxicity,152–159 a
shown to yield the highest prognostic value for providing a
further therapeutic strategy using the metal binding sites of Ab as
diagnosis of presymptomatic AD two or more years before the full
potential targets has been developed. Briefly, Ab is a metallo-
dementia picture is manifested.66;169–171 Given the growing evi-
protein, with high in vitro affinity for Cu2þ (highest), Fe3þ and
dence, PET will likely come to be at the forefront of the AD
Zn2þ (lowest).153;154;160;161 Association of soluble Ab with both
neuroimaging tools both as a diagnostic as well as a prognostic
Fe3þ and Cu2þ produces H2O2, which is neurotoxic in vitro,155–157
tool, providing new insights into the spatial and temporal pattern
while complexing of Ab with redox-inert Zn2þ causes precipita-
tion of the soluble metalloprotein complex.158 Elevated levels of
Because new treatment strategies to prevent or slow disease
Cu2þ, Fe3þ, and Zn2þ are also found in the Ab amyloid deposits of
progression through early-intervention are being developed and
AD brains, thereby demonstrating in vivo what is observed in
implemented, there is an urgent need for early disease recognition,
vitro.159 Addition of Zn2þ at a molar excess to Cu2þ- and/or Fe3þ
which is reflected in the necessity of developing sensitive and
bound Ab prevents the production of H2O2 and the corresponding
specific biomarkers, specific for a particular trait underlying the
neurotoxicity, possibly by displacement of the bound Cu2þ and/or
pathological process, as adjuncts to clinical and neuropsycholog-
Fe3þ.157 Assessing the level of oxidative damage in vivo in AD-
affected tissue by measuring the levels of 8-OH guanosine reveals
But the emphasis should not be limited to the ability of early
an inverse relationship between amyloid burden and oxidative
diagnosis. With new therapeutic approaches being developed that
damage.157 This implies that the presence of Ab amyloid could be
either prevent the deposition of Ab or increase its solubilization,
a response to increased oxidative damage caused by metal-bound
agents that could delay the onset of dementia, the role of
soluble Ab, and that Zn2þ binding precipitates Ab amyloid and
imaging and quantifying Ab amyloid in vivo is becoming cru-
thereby neutralizes the toxic soluble Ab.162;163 Metal-protein
cial. The ability to detect preclinical or early stage disease
attenuating compounds (MPAC) not only inhibit the in vitro
through clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging tests, combined
generation of hydrogen peroxide but also have been shown to
with anti-Ab amyloid in the at-risk patient, or the patient with
reverse the precipitation of Ab in vitro and in post mortem human
MCI, may prevent or delay functional and irreversible cognitive
brain specimens.164 Thus, this second strategy using MPACs could
losses, allowing at the same time to customize and monitor
operate in a twofold fashion: it would reduce Ab amyloid burden
by a direct solubilization effect and also reduce toxic oxidative
One day in the near future we may be able to say: Thou by thy
dial’s shady stealth mayst know/Time’s thievish progress to
Clioquinol (CQ), ‘5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline’ is a
eternity./Look, what thy memory can not contain/Commit to these
hydrophobic quinoline Zn2þ and Cu2þ chelator that freely crosses
waste blanks, and thou shalt find/Those children nursed, deliver’d
the blood–brain barrier.165 CQ was chosen to be tested as an Ab
from thy brain,/To take a new acquaintance of thy mind.*
amyloid solubilizing and anti-toxic agent in Phase II clinical tri-als166 after initial studies showed that CQ increased soluble phaseAb by more than 200% in a concentration-dependent fashion in
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience (2005) 12(3), 221–230
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Leonard Oppenheimer – Torah and Immigration Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) www.hias.org/./ immigration /Leonard_Oppenheimer_s_D_var_Beth_Jacob.doc Shabbat Shalom. Right now in America, a major employer is disrupted, its workforce cut by the hundreds or thousands. And a detention camp holds people without access to our usual rights and liberties. But, the employees will not be laid off