Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a long-lasting silent phase. Among initial events, emergence of tau pathology in locus coeruleus (LC) brainstem nucleus, well before the one observed in medial temporal cortex, is highly relevant. LC integrity and function can be assessed in vivo with MRI and pupil measures. The current research proposes to evaluate these LC markers in an aged healthy cohort (n=100, with half APOE4 positive) and to relate these markers with cerebral tau pathology, AD risk and cognitive function.
Participant in the INSPIRE-T cohort
Normal cognitive assessment
MMSE score ≥ 27 out of 30 (Mini-Mental State Examination)
Normal visual abilities (in corrected or uncorrected vision)
Subjects with a contraindication to MRI exam
Subjects with a known allergic reaction to the PET radiopharmaceutical ([18F] Flortaucipir) or any of its excipients
Subjects with an ophthalmological pathology making oculometric measurements difficult
Subjects with a neurodegenerative condition or a history of cerebral ischemia