Objective: The authors would hope to identify distribution of Tau protein within the  brain of  Wilson’s disease patients by tau-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracers

Background: Tauopathies are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the pathological accumulation of microtubule-associated protein tau filaments in the brain. The development of tau-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracers has facilitated in vivo mapping and quantification of this pathological biomarker, particularly in  Movement Disorders，e.g., PSP，ALS, CBD, and Pick’s disease; as well as Alzheimer’s disease and CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy). Of course it was necessary to further explore whether Neurological Wilson’s disease could be another form  within spectrum of Tauopathies, besides the silently/mildly hepatological disorders.

Method: We used PET imaging with ¹⁸F-PI-2620 for tau protein showed varying SUVR values among different groups, with SUVR aiding in Neurological Wilson’s  disease at the Hospital of Shanghai JiaoTong University Medical School. Clinical severity was evaluated using the Unified Wilson’s Disease Rating Scale (UWDRS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

Results: The patients’ group of neurological Wilson’s disease with Chinese origin showed that these neuroimaging’s data exhibited a significant statistical relationship with UWDRS and MoCA scores, Higher temporo-parietal FTP-PET SUVR was associated with clinical symptoms’ scores, particularly the area of striatum partly.

Conclusion: The authors would  assume that neurological Wilson’s disease be another form  within spectrum of Tauopathies, for the limited data.The patients’ group of neurological Wilson’s disease with Chinese origin showed that these neuroimaging’s data exhibited a significant statistical relationship with UWDRS and MoCA scores, Higher temporo-parietal FTP-PET SUVR was associated with clinical symptoms’ scores, particularly the area of striatum partly.

Conclusion: The authors would  assume that neurological Wilson’s disease be another form  within spectrum of Tauopathies, for the limited data.

References: 1. Liang SH. Development of Novel PET Tracers for Imaging Non-AD Tauopathies. ACS Med Chem Lett. 2025 Sep 3;16(10):1884-1888.
2. Kirk FT, Munk DE, Swenson ES, Quicquaro AM, Vendelbo MH, Schilsky ML, Ott P, Sandahl TD. Effects of trientine and penicillamine on intestinal copper uptake: A mechanistic 64 Cu PET/CT study in healthy humans. Hepatology. 2024 May 1;79(5):1065-1074.
3. Yang RM, Feng T, Cai W, Yu XE, Wang G, Han YZ, Fan CX, Xia Q, Chen HB, Wang XP. Chinese Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus on Orphan/Anticopper Drugs and Other Non-drug Management of Hepatolenticular Degeneration. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2025 Apr 7. doi: 10.2174/011570159X349587250311072553.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/neurological-wilsons-disease-another-form-of-tauopathies/