Journal Article

DZNE-2026-01129

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Tau positron emission tomography harmonization using the CenTauR approach: General conversion equations, relevant cut-points, and external validation.

Moscoso Rial, A. ; Leuzy, A. ; Raket, L. L. ; Villemagne, V. L. ; Klein, G. ; Tonietto, M. ; Olafson, E. ; Smith, R. ; Schwarz, C. G. ; Baker, S. ; Saad, Z. S. ; Bullich, S. ; Lopresti, B. ; Sanabria Bohorquez, S. ; Domingues Kolinger, G. ; Lutz, O. ; Boada, M. ; Betthauser, T. J. ; Charil, A. ; Collins, E. C. ; Collins, J. A. ; Gunn, R. N. ; Higuchi, M. ; Hostetler, E. ; Hutchison, R. M. ; Iaccarino, L. ; Insel, P. S. ; Irizarry, M. C. ; Jack, C. R. ; Jagust, W. J. ; Johnson, K. A. ; Johnson, S. C. ; Tissot, C. ; Vállez García, D. ; Salvadó, G. ; Stephenson, D. ; Marquié, M. ; Mathotaarachchi, S. ; Mintun, M. A. ; Ossenkoppele, R. ; Huang, Q. ; Mao, X. ; Gnörich, J.DZNE* ; Pappas, I. ; Petersen, R. C. ; Chiotis, K. ; Rabinovici, G. D. ; Rosa-Neto, P. ; Stephens, A. W. ; Whittington, A. ; Carrillo, M. C. ; Pontecorvo, M. J. ; Budd Haeberlein, S. ; Dunn, B. ; Kolb, H. C. ; Tatton, N. ; Karten, Y. ; Brendel, M.DZNE* ; O'Bryant, S. ; Xie, F. ; Rowe, C. C. ; Hansson, O. ; Doré, V. ; Initiative, A. D. N. (Collaboration Author) ; Health ; Study, A. B. (Collaboration Author)

2026
Wiley Hoboken, NJ

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1002/alz.71886

Abstract: Tau positron emission tomography (PET) tracers differ in kinetics, binding properties, and quantification pipelines, complicating cross-study comparisons. The CenTauR approach provides a unified framework for harmonizing tau PET quantification across tracers.We defined a tracer-agnostic 'Standard Method' using Statistical Parametric Mapping 12, standardized regions of interest, and harmonized acquisition parameters. Using data from five tau tracers-[18F]flortaucipir, [18F]MK-6240, [18F]PI-2620, [18F]RO948, and [18F]GTP1-we applied the Joint Propagation Model to derive linear equations converting regional standardized uptake value ratios into the tracer-independent CenTauR scale. Validation included independent cross-sectional, longitudinal, and test-retest datasets across multiple cohorts.The CenTauR scale yielded highly consistent regional values across tracers, with strong cross-tracer agreement and robust performance in external validation cohorts. We also expressed clinically relevant cut-points and staging boundaries on the CenTauR scale.The CenTauR approach enables harmonized, tracer-independent quantification of tau PET, supporting reproducibility across studies and improving interpretation in clinical research and multicenter trials.

Keyword(s): Positron-Emission Tomography: methods (MeSH) ; Positron-Emission Tomography: standards (MeSH) ; Humans (MeSH) ; tau Proteins: metabolism (MeSH) ; Radiopharmaceuticals (MeSH) ; Brain: diagnostic imaging (MeSH) ; Brain: metabolism (MeSH) ; Alzheimer Disease: diagnostic imaging (MeSH) ; Alzheimer Disease: metabolism (MeSH) ; Reproducibility of Results (MeSH) ; Alzheimer's disease ; CenTauR ; Joint Propagation Model ; biomarkers ; harmonization ; positron emission tomography imaging ; radiotracer standardization ; standardized uptake value ratio ; tau positron emission tomography ; tau Proteins ; Radiopharmaceuticals

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Molecular Neurodegeneration (AG Haass)

Research Program(s):

1. 352 - Disease Mechanisms (POF4-352) (POF4-352)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; DEAL Wiley ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 10 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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