Patterns of early neocortical amyloid beta accumulation: a positron emission tomography population-based study

IntroductionThe widespread deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in late-stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is well defined and confirmed byin vivopositron emission tomography (PET). However, there are discrepancies between which regions contribute to the earliest topographical Aβ deposition within the neocortex.MethodsThis study investigated Aβ signals in the peri-threshold SUVr range using Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET in a population-based study cross-sectionally and longitudinally. PiB-PET scans from 1,088 participants were assessed to determine the early patterns of PiB loading in the neocortex.ResultsEarly-stage Aβ loading is seen first in the temporal, cingulate, and occipital regions. Regional early deposition patterns are similar in both Apolipoprotein ε4 (APOE) carriers and non-carriers. Hierarchical clustering analysis shows groups with different patterns of early amyloid deposition.DiscussionThese finding of initial Aβ deposition patterns may be of significance for diagnostics and understanding the development of different AD phenotypes.