β-Amyloid and Tau Imaging in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesTraumatic brain injury (TBI) has been promoted as a risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD). There is evidence of elevated β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau, the pathologic hallmarks of AD, immediately following TBI. It is not clear whether Aβ and tau remain elevated in the chronic period. To address this issue, we assessed Aβ and tau burden in long-term TBI survivors and healthy controls using PET imaging.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, we recruited individuals following a single moderate to severe TBI at least 10 years previously from an inpatient rehabilitation program. A demographically similar healthy control group was recruited from the community. PET data were acqu..