A0700
Title: Integration of PET imaging studies in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Dana Tudorascu - University of Pittsburgh (United States) [presenting]
Abstract: Multisite imaging studies increase statistical power and enable the generalization of research outcomes. However, the variety of imaging acquisition scanners, different tau PET tracer properties, and inter-scanner variability hinder the direct comparability of multi-scanner PET data. Furthermore, the PET imaging field is lagging behind in terms of harmonization methods due to these challenges. This is further complicated due to the off-target binding of tau tracers, which can lead to bias in the PET outcomes and, in consequence, artificially increase or decrease effect sizes in clinical studies of Alzheimer's disease. Data integration methods and their downstream effects are investigated on effect size and sample size variability differences in two large multisite studies of Alzheimer's disease, and those are compared with PET brain phantom studies from different scanners.
