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The case for FDG-PET and NaF-PET in risk stratification of mild cognitive impairment

Year: 2026
Type: editorial
Abstract: According to a recent study, integrating amyloid-PET, structural MRI, carotid Doppler ultrasound, cognitive testing, and APOE genotyping improves estimation of dementia progression in patients with mild cognitive impairment, with carotid plaque burden emerging as a dominant predictor in amyloid-β–negative cases. We agree that vascular pathology is crucial but suggest that future models consider supplementing amyloid-PET with FDG-PET, a well-validated functional marker of neuronal injury, and carotid Doppler with 18 F-sodium fluoride (NaF)-PET which can detect and quantify early, active microcalcification. This could further improve risk stratification while facilitating detection of potentially modifiable disease processes.
DOI: 10.1177/13872877261477750
Authors: Abass Alavi, Jaskeerat Gujral, Om H. Gandhi, Amir A. Amanullah, Cyrus Ayubcha, Shiv Patil, Thomas J. Werner, Poul Flemming Høilund-Carlsen
Institutions: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale University, Harvard University, University of Southern Denmark, Odense University Hospital
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7203502281
Cites: 39
Cited by: 1
Related to: 10