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. 2015 Mar 29;1(1):5-13.
doi: 10.1016/j.dadm.2014.11.004. eCollection 2015 Mar.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of (18)F-labeled amyloid imaging in Alzheimer's disease

Jing Ming Yeo  1 , Briony Waddell  2 , Zubair Khan  3 , Suvankar Pal  4
Affiliations

A systematic review and meta-analysis of (18)F-labeled amyloid imaging in Alzheimer's disease

Jing Ming Yeo et al. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). .

Abstract

Background: Amyloid imaging using fluorine 18-labeled tracers florbetapir, florbetaben, and flutemetamol has recently been reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for relevant studies published from January 1980 to March 2014. Studies comparing imaging findings in AD and normal controls (NCs) were pooled in a meta-analysis, calculating pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (OR) using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model.

Results: Nineteen studies, investigating 682 patients with AD, met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 89.6%, a specificity of 87.2%, and an OR of 91.7 for florbetapir in differentiating AD patients from NCs, and a sensitivity of 89.3%, a specificity of 87.6%, and a diagnostic OR of 69.9 for florbetaben. There were insufficient data to complete analyses for flutemetamol.

Conclusions: Results suggest favorable sensitivity and specificity of amyloid imaging with fluorine 18-labeled tracers in AD. Prospective studies are required to determine optimal imaging analysis methods and resolve outstanding clinical uncertainties.

Keywords: Alzheimer's; Amyloid; Dementia; Florbetaben; Florbetapir; Flutemetamol; Positron emission tomography; Sensitivity; Specificity.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of study selection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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