The Current Role of Tau PET Imaging in Neurodegeneration.

Semin Nucl Med

Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Division of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospitals UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address:

Published: July 2025


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Article Abstract

Neurodegenerative tauopathies are characterized by the pathological hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins that subsequently form aggregates. Tau PET tracers with affinity to bind these pathological tau aggregates have been developed to measure disease progression and to support therapeutic drug development. In this review, we summarize the pathophysiology of tau throughout the range of neurodegenerative tauopathies. We outline the available first- and second-generation tau PET tracers, with a focus on new tau PET tracer developments, and discuss the quantification of tau PET images. Next, we summarize how tau PET relates to cerebrospinal fluid and plasma tau biomarkers. Finally, we review the current recommendations on the clinical use of tau PET versus fluid tau biomarkers in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment development.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.semnuclmed.2025.03.002DOI Listing

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