Imaging Core

ABSTRACT: IMAGING CORE The Imaging Core will acquire, analyze, and disseminate positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from participants in the UAB ADRC cohort. Measures will included amyloid-PET, tau-PET, regional brain volumes for ATN classification and brain MR measures of vascular disease. A key goal of the imaging core is to obtain and share robust neuroimaging biomarker data relevant to AD in Black or African American (B/AA) individuals, a population underrepresented in imaging biomarker studies. These imaging data will be available to investigators at UAB and other institutions to support research in B/AA populations and to further the understanding of the impact of racial disparities in AD and related cognitive disorders. PET and MRI data will be acquired in the centrally located UAB Advanced Imaging Facility using a simultaneous PET/MRI system, processed using a validated semi-automated workflow, and shared with other investigators through a secure cloud-based platform. Qualitative and quantitative summaries of image analysis as well as anonymized DICOM data sets will be available to investigators through data use requests. The Imaging Core will work closely with the Clinical and Data Management and Statistical Cores to maximize the percentage of the ADRC cohort who participate in molecular neuroimaging and to ensure that the imaging data for individuals are linked to their clinical assessment, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, and other assessments. The Imaging Core will also support investigators who wish to use investigational PET tracers and MRI techniques for research projects that build upon the ADRC cohort. The Imaging Core will also support training and educational activities in structural and molecular neuroimaging for trainees and junior faculty in neurology, neuroscience, radiology, nuclear medicine and other relevant specialties.