¹⁸F-THK 5351 and ¹¹C-PiB PET of the Thai normal brain template

The aim of the study was to create a local normal database brain template of Thai individuals for ¹¹C-Pittsburgh compound B (¹¹C-PiB) and ¹⁸F-THK 5351 depositions using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) software, and to validate and optimize the established specific brain template for use in clinical practice with a highly reliability and reproducibility.

This prospective study was conducted in 24 healthy right-handed volunteers (13 men, 11 women; aged: 42-79 years) who underwent ¹⁸F-THK 5351 and ¹¹C-PiB PET/CT scans. SPM was used for the ¹⁸F-THK 5351 and ¹¹C-PiB PET/CT image analysis. All PET images were processed individually using Diffusion Tensor Image -Magnetic Resonance Imaging-weighted images (DTI-MRI images), which involved: (1) conversion of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files into an analyzable file extension (.NIFTI) for statistical parametric mapping, (2) setting of the origin (the anterior commissure was used as the anatomical landmark), (3) re-alignment, (4) co-registration of PET with B0 (T1W) and DTI-MRI images, (5) normalization, and (6) normal verification using the Thai MRI standard. We then compared the normal PET template with the abnormal deposition area of different dementia syndromes, including Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.

This method was able to differentiate cognitively normal from Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy subjects.

This normal brain template was able to be integrated into clinical practice and research using PET analyses at our center.