The Prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease Pathology After Traumatic Brain Injury in Veterans and Civilians: A Biomarker Study of Beta-Amyloid and Tau
Abstract
Background: Retrospective studies suggest that traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases the risk of Alzheimers disease (AD) four-fold. This has not been supported by recent PET imaging studies including our previous work in Vietnam War veterans. PET scanning to measure the proteins Amyloid and Tau are the key predictors of future AD. It is these abnormal protein deposits that define AD. However, PET TBI studies have had small cohorts and have not used the latest generation of more sensitive imaging biomarkers. Hypothesis: That individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have a higher prevalence of AD related pathology and neurodegeneration compared to age matched controls. Study Design: We will use the latest generation of PET imaging and 7 Tesla MRI to measure AD pathology and chronic traumatic brain damage. We will study 150 elderly TBI subjects and 100 age-matched controls. In addition, psychological testing will be carried out such that the imaging results can be tested for correlation with clinical endpoints. Progress: The Covid 19 pandemic and administrative and ethics requirements have delayed aspects of the study, in particular the 7T MRI imaging. Never-the-less, due to co-funding from the Australian NHMRC and the participating institutions good progress has been made. To date 41 Vietnam war veterans, 84 persons with moderate or severe TBI due to motor vehicle accident and 40 age matched controls have been studied. Comparative cognitive and scanning data from 275 cognitively normal controls, 114 persons with mild cognitive impairment and 102 persons with mild Alzheimers disease was obtained from the AIBL study of ageing. Results: Analysis to date shows no increase in amyloid or tau in veterans or motor vehicle accident victims with TBI compared to controls. 7T MRI has not been acquired but all approvals for this are now in place and all participants are being re-consented for this and data sharing through FITBIR.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1129099
Entities
People
- Christopher C Rowe
Organizations
- University of Melbourne