Positron Emission Tomography News and Research

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Blood test models predict when Alzheimer’s symptoms may start years in advance

Researchers developed plasma p-tau217–based clock models that estimate when cognitively unimpaired individuals with Alzheimer’s pathology may develop symptomatic disease. The models predicted symptom onset within about three to four years and may help improve clinical trial selection while remaining unsuitable for individual clinical decisions at present.

22 Feb 2026

Can GLP-1 drugs slow neurodegeneration? New review finds promising signals but limited clinical proof

This review examines how GLP-1 receptor agonists may influence neurodegenerative disease biology through metabolic, inflammatory, mitochondrial, and proteostasis pathways. Evidence from mechanistic, preclinical, and early clinical studies suggests potential neuroprotective effects, but definitive disease-modifying benefit remains unproven.

17 Feb 2026

Finger-prick blood test shows promise for detecting Alzheimer’s disease biology

Finger-prick dried blood sampling can accurately measure key Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, including p-tau217, GFAP, and NfL, showing strong concordance with venous plasma and meaningful associations with CSF pathology. While analytical limitations remain, this minimally invasive approach shows promise as a scalable research and screening tool within biomarker-based diagnostic pathways.

6 Jan 2026

Simple blood test maps hidden Alzheimer’s disease changes

This population-based study used plasma pTau217 to estimate how common Alzheimer’s disease neuropathological changes are across age and cognitive status in a Norwegian community cohort. Prevalence rose steeply with age and was strongly associated with APOE ε4 genotype, education level, and kidney function, with implications for future use of blood biomarkers in clinical practice.

21 Dec 2025

New breakthrough expands possibilities for PET imaging

Imagine being able to watch organs and tissues work in real time. That's the power of Positron Emission Tomography, or PET imaging, a technology that gives physicians and researchers a window into cellular processes.

18 Dec 2025

New framework tracks response to anti-amyloid therapies in Alzheimer's

In the last few years, progress has been made in the fight against Alzheimer's disease with a class of therapies called anti-amyloid antibodies (anti-Aβ).

15 Dec 2025

Alzheimer's disease blood biomarkers increase up to 95% faster in obese individuals

Researchers have conducted the first study evaluating the impact of obesity on Alzheimer's disease blood biomarkers (BBMs).

2 Dec 2025

Midlife blood test may reveal Alzheimer’s disease risk in advance

A simple blood test for platelet activity at middle age could one day help identify people at risk for Alzheimer's disease decades ahead of time, allowing for possible preventive therapy.

11 Nov 2025

5,000 steps a day may slow Alzheimer’s-related brain changes

Regular walking is linked to slower cognitive decline in older adults, emphasizing its role in delaying Alzheimer’s disease and enhancing memory retention.

6 Nov 2025

New WashU center aims to transform disease diagnosis through AI imaging

Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR) at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is establishing a new center dedicated to developing AI-based imaging tools to improve the diagnosis and precision treatment of cancers, cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases and numerous other conditions.

3 Nov 2025

Football hits leave lasting brain changes

Recent MRI research reveals how repeated football head impacts reshape brain structures, offering insights into chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) risk.

30 Oct 2025

New imaging technique boosts survival in prostate cancer patients

A multicenter study led by London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI), Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's Health Care London (Lawson), and University Health Network (UHN) has found a novel imaging solution, called prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, can more effectively detect the recurrence of prostate cancer compared to standard imaging methods, and is associated with improved survival outcomes.

14 Oct 2025

Digital test plus blood biomarker boosts accuracy of Alzheimer’s diagnosis in primary care

A Swedish-led study validated a self-administered digital cognitive test (BioCog) in primary care, showing it can accurately detect objective cognitive impairment before blood biomarkers are applied. When paired with a targeted amyloid blood test, this stepwise pathway outperformed standard assessments for diagnosing clinical Alzheimer’s disease.

12 Oct 2025

Aptamer expands into targeted radiopharmaceuticals with major top 3 pharma contract

Aptamer Group plc, the developer of next-generation synthetic binders for the life sciences industry, has announced a significant development contract with a top 3 global pharmaceutical company to engineer Optimer® binders as targeted radiopharmaceuticals for potential therapeutic applications.

8 Oct 2025

Study links high neuroinflammation in young people with Down Syndrome to Alzheimer's risk

Down syndrome is associated with accelerated aging. It is estimated that up to 90% of individuals with the condition develop Alzheimer's disease before the age of 70. A study by researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil identified high levels of neuroinflammation in young individuals with Down syndrome, an additional factor explaining the high prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in older people with the condition. The discovery paves the way for strategies to prevent and monitor the disease.

3 Oct 2025

AI tool detects tiny brain lesions to improve epilepsy treatment in children

An advanced AI tool can detect tiny brain lesions that cause severe epilepsy in children, allowing faster diagnosis, more precise treatment and a potential cure, according to a new study.

30 Sep 2025

Inflammation at the heart’s core: What clinicians and families can do now

Chronic low-grade inflammation is a key driver of cardiovascular disease, even when cholesterol is controlled. The ACC’s 2025 Scientific Statement highlights hsCRP as a routine risk marker and outlines lifestyle and pharmacologic anti-inflammatory strategies for prevention and treatment.

30 Sep 2025

Review shows lecanemab and donanemab slow decline and explains who should get them

The Lancet review synthesises evidence on anti beta amyloid monoclonal antibodies and the wider Alzheimer’s care pathway, weighing efficacy, safety, economics, and health system readiness across disease, patient, and population perspectives.

24 Sep 2025

Blood and brain biomarkers transform how doctors confirm Alzheimer’s disease

A new Lancet review proposes a three-wave diagnostic pathway that combines clinical expertise with blood, CSF, and PET biomarkers. This approach aims to deliver earlier, more accurate, and more equitable Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis worldwide.

24 Sep 2025

Two-step blood and scan strategy delivers near-perfect accuracy for early Alzheimer's signs

Plasma p-tau217 testing can help detect preclinical Alzheimer disease in cognitively unimpaired adults. Using it as a first-line screen followed by positron emission tomography or cerebrospinal fluid testing boosts accuracy, reduces false positives, and streamlines recruitment.

16 Sep 2025