Researchers find new diagnostic algorithm to differentiate between Alzheimer's disease, primary tauopathies

These are conditions mainly linked to movement abnormalities, although it can be challenging to get a definitive diagnosis because the symptoms frequently match those of Alzheimers disease..

The new diagnostic algorithm we developed allows physicians to differentiate with greater precision between Alzheimers disease and primary tauopathies, which facilitates earlier and more precise diagnosis and supports personalized treatment strategies, says principal investigator Professor Matthias Brendel, acting director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine and member of the SyNergy Cluster of Excellence..

In Alzheimers disease and primary 4-repeat tauopathies, large pathological aggregates of the tau protein are found in the brain..

Our new study shows that tau can be identified with the novel tau PET tracer even in 4-repeat tauopathies but not in the cerebrospinal fluid, rather in very specific areas of the brain known as the subcortical brain regions, explained Roxane Dilcher, lead author of the study...

Primary 4-repeat tauopathies are diagnosed almost exclusively using clinical criteria at present without specific biomarkers that enable conclusive diagnosis in patients, says co-senior author Dr..

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