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Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Hybrid PET/MRI Imaging of Alzheimer's Disease Based on 18F-AV-1451
Published on: April 18, 2025
A systematic review and meta-analysis of (18)F-labeled amyloid imaging in Alzheimer's disease
Jing Ming Yeo1, Briony Waddell2, Zubair Khan3
1College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Background:
Amyloid imaging using fluorine 18-labeled tracers florbetapir, florbetaben, and flutemetamol has recently been reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Methods:
We systematically searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for relevant studies published from January 1980 to March 2014. Studies comparing imaging findings in AD and normal controls (NCs) were pooled in a meta-analysis, calculating pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (OR) using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model.
Results:
Nineteen studies, investigating 682 patients with AD, met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 89.6%, a specificity of 87.2%, and an OR of 91.7 for florbetapir in differentiating AD patients from NCs, and a sensitivity of 89.3%, a specificity of 87.6%, and a diagnostic OR of 69.9 for florbetaben. There were insufficient data to complete analyses for flutemetamol.
Conclusions:
Results suggest favorable sensitivity and specificity of amyloid imaging with fluorine 18-labeled tracers in AD. Prospective studies are required to determine optimal imaging analysis methods and resolve outstanding clinical uncertainties.
