New brain imaging agent is marker for progression of Alzheimer’s

A new imaging agent, called T807, that binds to tau protein and makes it visible in PET scans, is showing promise as a marker for cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients.

This is according to a study, conducted by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Previous research has shown that elevated levels of a protein fragment called amyloid beta are the earliest markers of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Senior study author Dr. Beau M. Ances, associate professor of neurology at Wash U., said that many patients are cognitively normal in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease, even with amyloid buildup. Read more.