Positron emission tomography harmonization in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative: A scalable and rigorous approach to multisite amyloid and tau quantification

INTRODUCTION: A key goal of the Alzheimer's Disease NeuroImaging Initiative (ADNI) positron emission tomography (PET) Core is to harmonize quantification of beta-amyloid (A beta) and tau PET image data across multiple scanners and tracers. METHODS: We developed an analysis pipeline (Berkeley PET Imaging Pipeline, B-PIP) for ADNI A beta and tau PET images and applied it to PET data from other multisite studies. Steps include image pre-processing, refacing, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/PET co-registration, visual quality control (QC), quantification of tracer uptake, and standardization of A beta and tau standardized uptake value ratios (SUVrs) across tracers. RESULTS: Measurements from 10,105 cross-sectional and longitudinal A beta and tau PET scans acquired in several studies between 2010 and 2024 can be processed, harmonized, and directly merged across tracers and cohorts. DISCUSSION: The B-PIP developed in ADNI is a scalable image harmonization approach used in several observational studies and clinical trials that facilitates rigorous A beta and tau PET quantification and data sharing.