Brain Blood Flow and Sugar Transport in Alzheimer's Disease With and Without Diabetes - A Pilot Imaging Study (PETTAU)

Imaging Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease - an Exploratory PET Study

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and affects a growing number of older adults. Although harmful proteins build up in the brain, we still do not fully understand why some brain regions are affected earlier or more severely than others. Many people with Alzheimer's disease also have problems with blood flow and sugar handling in the brain, and these changes may play an important role in disease development. People with type 2 diabetes are at especially high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and often experience a more severe disease course.

This pilot study aims to improve our understanding of how brain blood flow and sugar use are altered in Alzheimer's disease, and whether these changes differ in people with and without type 2 diabetes. We will study three groups: people with Alzheimer's disease without diabetes, people with Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes, and healthy older individuals. By comparing these groups, we aim to identify early brain changes that may contribute to cognitive decline.

Participants will undergo advanced brain imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) scans. One scan uses a radioactive sugar tracer to measure how the brain takes up and uses glucose. Importantly, a new non-invasive method will also allow us to estimate how efficiently glucose is transported from the blood into the brain. This is a key process that may be impaired in Alzheimer's disease, but has previously required invasive procedures. The new approach avoids arterial cannulation, making the study safer and more comfortable for participants.

A second PET scan will assess brain blood flow and blood vessel function, including how well the vessels can respond to increased demand. Participants will also complete cognitive tests to assess memory and thinking abilities.

Ultimately, this research may contribute to earlier diagnosis, better monitoring of disease progression, and development of new treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Diabete Type 2; Alzheimer Dementia (AD)
• Intervention / Treatment: Diagnostic test: [18F]FDG PET; Diagnostic test: [11C]PIB

Detailed Description

1. Synopsis / Summary

   Design: Comparative imaging study.

   Population: 60 participants:

   Group A: 20 patients with suspected Alzheimer's disease (AD) without type 2 diabetes (T2D)

   Group B: 20 patients with suspected AD + T2D

   Group C: 20 healthy age-matched controls

   Procedures:

   Dynamic [11C]PiB positron emission tomography (PET) after acetazolamide: early phase as perfusion/vascular function marker; late phase as β-amyloid load.

   Dynamic [18F]FDG PET with heart scans and prebolus method: glucose transport and cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc).

   Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (if not available within 5 years and clinically acceptable): assessment of white matter lesions (Fazekas score) and vascular markers.

   Neuropsychological testing (if not already available clinically).

   Primary endpoint: Volume and overlap of abnormal regions across imaging biomarkers (with diabetes status considered).

   Secondary endpoints: Correlation between cognitive index score and biomarker volumes.

   Timeline: First subject first visit Sep 2025; last subject last visit Dec 2026; end of trial Sep 2027.

2. Background and Rationale

   Dementia prevalence is rising; Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia account for the majority of cases, often co-existing ("mixed dementia"). AD is characterized by early β-amyloid deposition and later neurodegeneration, with hypometabolism and perfusion abnormalities in characteristic parietotemporal regions. T2D is associated with cognitive impairment and increased dementia risk, potentially via impaired insulin signaling and altered brain glucose handling.

   A key methodological barrier has been robust, clinically feasible quantification of glucose transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Prior work suggests blood-brain glucose transport is sensitive to AD-related changes and may respond to metabolic interventions. Conventional glucose transport estimation requires arterial cannulation and high temporal resolution. We have developed a non-invasive approach using an image-derived input function with heart scanning and a prebolus strategy (method manuscript in preparation), enabling estimation of CMRglc and glucose transport in the same FDG session.

   For vascular reserve, acetazolamide challenge probes endothelial-mediated vasodilation. We will use early-phase [11C]PiB as a perfusion proxy (validated against FDG/perfusion measures in prior studies).

   Overall aim: Map and compare regional extent and overlap of quantitative imaging biomarkers in suspected AD with and without T2D versus healthy controls.

3. Hypotheses

   Patients with suspected AD are amyloid-positive on [11C]PiB PET.

   Aside from amyloid load, biomarkers show broadly similar regional patterns within subjects, but differ in affected volume.

   Glucose transport impairment affects a larger cortical volume than glucose metabolism impairment (CMRglc).

   Perfusion during vasodilation shows larger affected volume than glucose metabolism.

   White matter lesion burden co-localizes with affected regions and differs by diabetes status.

4. Objectives and Endpoints 4.1 Primary objective

   Map neurodegenerative PET biomarkers and vascular MRI markers in suspected AD and compare the volume and overlap of regional involvement across biomarkers (accounting for T2D).

   4.2 Secondary objectives

   Relate imaging biomarker volumes to cognitive performance.

   4.3 Primary endpoint

   Volume and overlap of:

   Reduced glucose transport from FDG PET

   Reduced CMRglc from FDG PET

   Increased amyloid load from late [11C]PiB PET (standard uptake value ratio, (SUVR) > 1.5, cortex vs cerebellum)

   Reduced perfusion during vasodilation from early [11C]PiB PET

   White matter lesions (none / some / confluent; incl. Fazekas scoring)

   4.4 Secondary endpoints

   Association between cognitive index score and volumes of the above abnormalities.

   4.5 Exploratory endpoints

   Associations between imaging volumes and metabolic/clinical measures (body mass index (BMI), waist, fasting glucose/insulin measures, etc.).

5. Methods 5.1 Design

   Comparative cross-sectional imaging study with prespecified group comparisons (A vs B vs C).

   5.2 Schedule

   Procedures are conducted over 2-3 study visits.

6. Trial Population 6.1 Recruitment

   Patients (A, B): Identified through the memory clinic at Herlev or referrals to clinical brain FDG PET. A health professional asks permission for research contact; written information is provided. Research staff contacts the patient ≥3 days later to screen and offer an information meeting.

   Controls (C): Recruitment via approved advertisements (TrialTree, forskningnu.dk, local media, posters, social media) with safeguards against tagging/comment disclosure.

   6.2 Inclusion criteria

   Written informed consent before any study procedures

   Age 60-90 years

   Group A/B: clinically suspected AD

   Group B: documented T2D

   Group C: no significant somatic/psychiatric disease

   Ability and willingness to comply with protocol

   6.3 Exclusion criteria

   Suspicion of non-AD dementia

   Significant brain disease unrelated to dementia

   Medication affecting perfusion or glucose metabolism (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists; metformin/insulin allowed in Group B)

   Active cancer treatment

   Alcohol/drug abuse history

   Severe claustrophobia

   Pregnancy/breastfeeding

   MRI contraindications (metal fragments, pacemaker, incompatible implants, etc.)

   For controls: significant cardiovascular disease or diabetes (atrial fibrillation acceptable)

   6.4 Informed consent

   Consent is voluntary; withdrawal is allowed anytime without consequences for clinical care. Participants are offered up to 7 days to consider participation and may bring a relative/friend to the information meeting. After trial completion, participants will be informed of overall results; individual results will be handled with respect for the right not to know. Permission may be requested for future contact regarding follow-up trials.

   6.5 Demography and clinical data

   DOB, sex, height/weight/BMI, waist, blood pressure/pulse, smoking/alcohol history, medication list, diabetes history (if applicable), relevant clinical cognitive test results.

   6.7 Biobank

   No research biobank is created.

7. Study Procedures 7.1 [18F]FDG PET

   Visit ~2 hours; replaces routine clinical FDG PET where applicable. 4-hour fasting. Venous access for tracer injection. Dynamic brain scan (~55 min) with heart scans before and after for non-invasive input function. Total injected activity ~200 MBq split (prebolus + bolus). Plasma glucose measured if needed.

   7.2 [11C]PiB PET + acetazolamide

   Visit ~2 hours. Venous access. Acetazolamide 1 g in 50 mL saline infused over 5 min. After ~10 min, dynamic brain [11C]PiB PET (~60 min), activity 100-500 MBq.

   7.3 MRI (if needed)

   If brain MRI is <5 years old and clinically acceptable with no suspected major change, MRI is not repeated. Otherwise ~20 min MRI including sequences relevant for vascular markers and white matter lesions. No contrast.

   7.4 Neuropsychological testing

   Up to 60 min in quiet setting; attention, memory, learning, language, processing speed tests.

8. Safety, Risks, and Discomfort

   Long dynamic PET sessions may be tiring; staff monitor participants throughout. Adverse events from FDG, PiB and MRI are rare and typically mild. Acetazolamide may cause headache, tingling, increased diuresis, or altered taste of carbonated drinks; serious events are very rare.

   Radiation: FDG (~4.8 mSv), PiB (~3.4 mSv), CT (~3 mSv), total ~11.2 mSv (approx. <3 years background radiation in Denmark). Many patients would otherwise have routine FDG PET clinically. Only participants ≥60 years are included.

   Incidental findings: Scans are not intended as diagnostic exams. If potentially clinically significant incidental findings are suspected, a radiologist will be consulted; participant and GP will be informed where relevant. Participants who do not wish to be informed of incidental findings with potential health implications will not be scanned.

9. Data Handling / GDPR

   Data stored for 15 years; thereafter transferred to "Privacy" in anonymised form. Data stored coded in accordance with GDPR and Danish Data Protection rules and registered with the Danish Data Protection Agency. Paper documents destroyed after completion of processing (planned by Dec 2027).

   Access to medical records occurs only after signed consent and is used for eligibility assessment, safety, and analysis variables (diagnoses, medication, relevant labs, prior imaging, cognitive tests). Monitoring authorities may access data under confidentiality obligations.

10. Statistical Plan 10.1 General

Descriptive statistics including missingness and reasons. Analyses are non-blinded. Deviations from analysis plan will be documented in publications.

10.2 Image analyses (key outcomes)

[11C]PiB early phase: first 10 min reconstructed as "vascular/perfusion" image; outcome = regional uptake relative to cerebellar grey matter; z-scores vs controls.

[11C]PiB late phase: 40-60 min reconstructed for amyloid SUVr; cortical volume with SUVr > 1.5 recorded.

[18F]FDG heart IDIF: VOI in LV cavity; prebolus/bolus ratio applied; late point from last heart scan; plasma conversion via population-based ratio.

[18F]FDG brain: dynamic modelling (two-compartment); lumped constant 0.76; plasma glucose included. Outcomes: CMRglc and K1-based glucose transport estimate.

MRI: neuroradiologist rates Fazekas score, regional white matter lesions, and other vascular findings.

10.3 Sample size

Exploratory. n=20 per group) accounts for ~10% drop-out, expected ~15% differences in affected volumes, power 90%, alpha 5%, and ~14% variation. Participants unable to complete study visits may be replaced.

11. End of Trial / Discontinuation

Ethics Committee informed within 90 days after completion. Participants may discontinue at any time; discontinuation does not affect clinical care.

12. Administrative Procedures

Insurance: Covered under Danish patient insurance law. Finances/COI: Investigator-initiated; no investigators have financial stake. Operating expenses covered by involved departments.

13. Publication

Data owned by Region Hovedstaden. Results will be published regardless of outcome in peer-reviewed journals, following Vancouver authorship guidelines.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Lisbeth Marner, MD, DMSc, PhD; Phone Number: +4538682041; Email: Lisbeth.marner@regionh.dk

Study Locations

• Denmark
  • Herlev, Denmark, 2730
    • Recruiting
    • Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev
    • Contact: Lisbeth Marner, MD, DMSc, PhD; Phone Number: +4538682041; Email: Lisbeth.marner@regionh.dk
    • Principal Investigator: Lisbeth Marner, MD, DMSc, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients are recruited from the memory clinica at Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• suspected Alzheimer's disease
• type 2 diabetes (group A)
• able and willing to comply with study protocoil´´l

Exclusion Criteria:

• type 2 diabetes (group B and C)
• significant brain disease apart from dementia (group A and B)
• significant vascular or neurological disease (group C)
• active cancer treatment
• history of alcohol or drug abuse
• severe claustrophobia
• pregnancy or breastfeeding

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

3

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Alzheimer's disease with type 2 diabetes; Suspected Alzheimer's disease combined with type 2 diabetes	Diagnostic test: [18F]FDG PET; Regional glucose metabolism as well as glucose transport will be assessed.; Diagnostic test: [11C]PIB; Early perfusion PET after acetazolamide infusion as well as late amyloid load will be assessed.
Alzheimer's disease without type 2 diabetes; Suspected Alzheimer's disease. No diagnosis of type 2 diabetes	Diagnostic test: [18F]FDG PET; Regional glucose metabolism as well as glucose transport will be assessed.; Diagnostic test: [11C]PIB; Early perfusion PET after acetazolamide infusion as well as late amyloid load will be assessed.
Healthy subjects; Age-matched subjects with no major vascular or neuroological diseses	Diagnostic test: [18F]FDG PET; Regional glucose metabolism as well as glucose transport will be assessed.; Diagnostic test: [11C]PIB; Early perfusion PET after acetazolamide infusion as well as late amyloid load will be assessed.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Glucose transport	Regional flux of glucose to brain regions, (mmol/mL/min )	at inclusion

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Glucose metabolism	Regional glucose metabolism, (μmol 100 g-1 min-1)	at inclusion
Amyloid load	Regional SUVR of amyloid	at inclusion
Stress perfusion	Perfusion relative to cerebellum during acetazolamide vasodilation. SUVR	at inclusion

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Rigshospitalet, Denmark
• Collaborators: Copenhagen University Hospital at Herlev

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Gejl M, Brock B, Egefjord L, Vang K, Rungby J, Gjedde A. Blood-Brain Glucose Transfer in Alzheimer's disease: Effect of GLP-1 Analog Treatment. Sci Rep. 2017 Dec 13;7(1):17490. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-17718-y.
• Bach MJ, Larsen ME, Kellberg AO, Henriksen AC, Fuglsang S, Rasmussen IL, Lonsdale MN, Lubberink M, Marner L. Non-invasive [15O]H2O PET measurements of cerebral perfusion and cerebrovascular reactivity using an additional heart scan. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2025 Jun;45(6):1144-1152. doi: 10.1177/0271678X251313743. Epub 2025 Jan 20.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 2, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 13, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 19, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 13, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: amyloid; neuroimaging; Alzheimer's disease; glucose metabolism; glucose transport
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Endocrine System Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Diabetes Mellitus; Dementia; Tauopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Alzheimer Disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
• Other Study ID Numbers: H-25047865

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: GDPR regulations

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No