IMPLEMENTATION OF CENTILOID SCALE ON PET IMAGING USING [11C]PIB IN THE NUCLEAR MEDICINE DIVISION OF INSTITUTE OF RADIOLOGY HCFMUSP.

• Grant number: 23/14172-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Radiology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Alberto Buchpiguel
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Marques Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Brain aging is associated with the accumulation of beta-amyloid, a protein linked to improper processing and the formation of insoluble plaques that disrupt cellular communication, impairing cognitive function. Beta-amyloid accumulation is connected to both brain aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD), which accounts for the majority of dementia cases worldwide. In individuals with Down syndrome (DS), a genetic mutation on chromosome 21 leads to increased production of beta-amyloid in the brain, elevating the risk of early Alzheimer's disease development. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) images contribute to our understanding of beta-amyloid accumulation and cognitive decline. By using a radiotracer, they aid in diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions, including cancer, heart diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. The centiloid scale is designed to standardize amyloid PET images, ranging from 0 (representing average uptake in young individuals) to 100 (representing average uptake in individuals with Alzheimer's). This study aims to implement the centiloid scale in PET images of both control individuals and individuals with AD, obtained using [11C]PiB at the Nuclear Medicine Service of the Institute of Radiology HCFMUSP.