Preliminary Results of the NINDS/NIBIB Consensus Meeting to Evaluate Pathological Criteria for the Diagnosis of CTE (P2.178)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To establish neuropathological consensus criteria for the diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). BACKGROUND: CTE is a neurodegeneration that is associated with repetitive, mild traumatic brain injury. CTE can only be diagnosed with certainty by neuropathological examination of brain tissue. DESIGN/METHODS: Pathological criteria have been proposed for the neuropathological diagnosis of CTE (McKee et al., Brain 2013): 1. Perivascular foci of hyperphosphorylated (p-tau) immunoreactive neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and astrocytic tangles (ATs) in the neocortex. 2. Irregular clusters of p-tau immunoreactive NFTs and ATs found preferentially at the sulcal depths. 3. NFTs in the cerebral cortex located primarily in the superficial layers. Supportive, but non-diagnostic, features are 4. Clusters of subpial ATs in the cerebral cortex, most pronounced at the sulcal depths. A group of expert neuropathologists will independently analyze slides from cases of CTE and other tauopathies using the provisional criteria. The neuropathologists will evaluate the cases independently, - first, blinded to the clinical history and gross neuropathological features, and second, after being supplied the additional information. The cases to be evaluated will include, but are not restricted to, CTE, Alzheimer’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, argyrophilic grain disease, corticobasal degeneration, primary age-related tauopathy and parkinsonism dementia complex of Guam. A single laboratory will process all slides to assure conformity. The reliability of the criteria for the diagnosis of CTE will be determined by measuring group agreement among the neuropathologists using kappa and intra-cluster correlation (ICC) statistics. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values will also be estimated for each rater. RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS: The findings will be discussed at a consensus conference to be held in late February 2015 and the preliminary results of this conference will be presented. Study Supported by: NINDS and NIBIB Cooperative agreement, 1U01NS086659-01 and 1U01NS086625-01.

Disclosure: Dr. McKee has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alvarez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bieniek has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cairns has nothing to disclose. Dr. Crary has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dams-O'Connor has nothing to disclose. Dr. Folkerth has nothing to disclose. Dr. Keene has nothing to disclose. Dr. Litvan has received personal compensation for activities with Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Inc., Teva Neuroscience, Biotie Therapies, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Dr. Litvan has received research support from Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Montine has nothing to disclose. Dr. Montenigro has nothing to disclose. Dr. Perl has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stewart has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tripodis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vonsattel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gordon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dickson has nothing to disclose.