The Centiloid Project: standardizing quantitative amyloid plaque estimation by PET

Alzheimers Dement. 2015 Jan;11(1):1-15.e1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2014.07.003. Epub 2014 Oct 28.

Abstract

Although amyloid imaging with PiB-PET ([C-11]Pittsburgh Compound-B positron emission tomography), and now with F-18-labeled tracers, has produced remarkably consistent qualitative findings across a large number of centers, there has been considerable variability in the exact numbers reported as quantitative outcome measures of tracer retention. In some cases this is as trivial as the choice of units, in some cases it is scanner dependent, and of course, different tracers yield different numbers. Our working group was formed to standardize quantitative amyloid imaging measures by scaling the outcome of each particular analysis method or tracer to a 0 to 100 scale, anchored by young controls (≤ 45 years) and typical Alzheimer's disease patients. The units of this scale have been named "Centiloids." Basically, we describe a "standard" method of analyzing PiB PET data and then a method for scaling any "nonstandard" method of PiB PET analysis (or any other tracer) to the Centiloid scale.

Keywords: Amyloid imaging; Centiloid scale; Pittsburgh compound B; Positron emission tomography; Standardize.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Amyloid / metabolism
  • Aniline Compounds
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Calibration
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Middle Aged
  • Plaque, Amyloid / diagnostic imaging*
  • Plaque, Amyloid / metabolism
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / standards*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thiazoles

Substances

  • 2-(4'-(methylamino)phenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole
  • Amyloid
  • Aniline Compounds
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thiazoles
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18