Brain imaging scan to detect protein buildup in memory and thinking disorders

Plain-English translation of NCT05456503 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated November 2025 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 3 — Testing in thousands of people, comparing the treatment against what doctors currently use. This is the last big step before approval.

What is this trial?

This study tests whether a specialized brain imaging scan called PET can detect abnormal tau protein buildup in people with different types of memory loss and thinking disorders. Researchers want to see if this imaging method can help doctors better understand and diagnose conditions like Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The scan is designed to visualize harmful protein accumulation in the brain that causes these conditions.

Current methods for diagnosing memory and thinking disorders are limited, and doctors need better tools to see what's happening inside the brain during these diseases. This new imaging method could help doctors spot problems earlier and more accurately, leading to better diagnosis and potentially better treatment options in the future.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are at least 18 years old
you are already enrolled in a companion research study called UNICORN at the University of Pennsylvania
you fit into one of seven groups: people with normal thinking and memory, people with non-memory-loss Alzheimer's disease, or people with frontotemporal dementia (from various causes)
you have been evaluated by a neurologist and meet specific clinical diagnostic criteria for your group
you do not have symptoms of depression, according to a screening test or clinician evaluation

You likely don't qualify if…

you are not currently enrolled in the companion UNICORN study
you have a history of early-onset brain disease in your parents or siblings
you are clinically depressed
you cannot participate with a study partner or legal representative (if applicable to your group)

What participation looks like

If you qualify, you will receive one specialized brain imaging scan using the tracer—a harmless radioactive dye that helps doctors see protein buildup in your brain. The scan itself typically takes about an hour. You will also continue participating in your regular UNICORN study visits, which include yearly MRI scans, memory and thinking tests, and occasional blood tests or spinal fluid collection to measure biomarkers related to brain disease.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 13, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

Perelman Center for Advance Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania