Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

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Neuropathology

Neuropathology

Neuropathology data is one component of the comprehensive data set collected in ADNI. The types of neuropathology data available to ADNI data users through the LONI IDA include:

Histopathologic assessment of postmortem biomarkers for ADNI participants who consented to brain donation. All data are shared through LONI-IDA Using the NACC V10 and V11 forms

Numerical summary data in tabular csv format

Coming soon: digitized images of neuropathology slides will be available through the IDA.

Documentation

This page provides a high-level overview of the neuropathology component of the ADNI data set. Investigators can find more detailed information about the neuropathology data on the documentation page, and in the neuropathology section of the ask the experts archive.

Ask the Expert

Investigators who have specific questions for the neuropathology core that are not addressed in any of the resources listed above can submit a question using the ask the experts feature.

Introduction to Neuropathology Data

The neuropathology data in the ADNI database relevant to Alzheimer disease (AD) are derived from application of the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association guidelines for the neuropathologic assessment of AD. The neuropathologic data may be considered the ‘gold standard’ against which other clinical, neuropsychological, genetic, neuroimaging and body fluid biomarkers may be compared. Neuropathology data may be used to underpin multimodal studies of the natural history of AD. Data relevant to other neurodegenerative diseases are derived from the application of other appropriate contemporary neuropathologic guidelines.

Neuropathology Methods

Brain Tissue Regions Sampled for the ADNI Neuropathology Protocol include:

Middle frontal gyrus (Block 1)
Superior and middle temporal gyri (Block 2)
Inferior parietal lobe (angular gyrus) (Block 3)
Occipital lobe to include the calcarine sulcus and parastriate cortex (Block 4)
Anterior cingulate gyrus at the level of the genu of the corpus callosum (Block 19)
Precentral gyrus (Block 21)
Posterior cingulate gyrus and precuneus at the level of the splenium (Block 30)
Amygdala and entorhinal cortex (Block 23)
Hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus at the level of the lateral geniculate nucleus (Block 5)
Striatum (caudate nucleus and putamen) with olfactory cortex at the level of the nucleus accumbens (Block 6)
Striatum and pallidum at the level of the anterior commissure to include nucleus basalis of Meynert, basal forebrain, and septum (Block 17)
Thalamus and subthalamic nucleus (Block 8)
Midbrain with red nucleus (Block 9)
Pons with locus coeruleus (Block 11)
Medulla oblongata (Block 12)
Cerebellum with dentate nucleus (Block 14)
Spinal cord (Block 13)

PET tracers, with times of acquisition and injected doses

Neuropathology (Brain Tissue) Sample Availability:

For brain tissue sample requests, brain areas available are case dependent. Please refer to the Neuropathology RARC processes.

ADNI Biospecimens Initial Request Statement

Detailed Neuropathology Methodology:

Acquisition of Neuropathology Data

Pathological lesions within the brain are assessed using established neuropathologic diagnostic criteria. The NIA-AA criteria recognize that AD neuropathologic change (ADNC) may occur in the apparent absence of cognitive impairment. In accordance with the NIA-AA protocol, an “ABC” score for ADNC is generated from histopathologic assessments of the anatomic distribution of amyloid β plaques (A), the distribution and density (staging) of neurofibrillary tangles (B), and the maximal density of neocortical neuritic plaques (C). In addition, detailed methods for assessing common co-morbid conditions such as Lewy body disease, vascular pathology and associated brain injury, hippocampal sclerosis, argyrophilic grain disease, and TAR DNA binding protein (TDP) immunoreactive inclusions are included (Reference). Neuropathology data were captured in the format of the Neuropathology Data Form Version 10 or form 11 of the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) established by the National Institute on Aging/NIH (U01 AG016976). The Neuropathology NACC Form Version 11 includes specific questions/prompts to gather information about aging-related tau astrogliopathy (ARTAG). For ADNI cases with information gathered using Neuropathology NACC Form Version 10, the presence of ARTAG is indicated under “OTHER PATHOLOGIC DIAGNOSES.” For more information see:

Neuropathology NACC Form Version 10

Neuropathology Coding Guidebook NACC Version 10: NACC Home | National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center
Neuropathology Data Collection Form NACC Version 10: NACC Home | National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center
Neuropathology Data Dictionary NACC Version 10: NACC Home | National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center

Neuropathology NACC Form Version 11

Neuropathology Coding Guidebook NACC Version 11: https://files.alz.washington.edu/documentation/np11-guidebook.pdf
Neuropathology Data Collection Form NACC Version 11: https://files.alz.washington.edu/documentation/np11-form.pdf
Neuropathology Data Dictionary NACC Version 11: https://files.alz.washington.edu/documentation/np11-ded.pdf