New PET tracer aims to light up tau tangles in the brain

NCT ID NCT06932809

Recruiting now Diagnosis Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase study tests a new radioactive tracer called 18F-JSS20-183A to see if it can safely and accurately detect abnormal tau protein in the brain during PET scans. Researchers will study 90 adults aged 40-85 with tauopathies (like PSP, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's) and healthy volunteers. The goal is to improve diagnosis of these brain diseases by measuring where the tracer goes and how long it stays.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: 18F-JSS20-183A (a radioactive tracer for PET scans)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could lead to a more accurate way to diagnose tau-related brain diseases like PSP and Alzheimer's using a simple PET scan.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small study focused on safety and imaging, not treatment. The tracer may not clearly distinguish between diseases or may have unexpected side effects.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Alzheimer disease Corticobasal Degeneration corticobasal syndrome frontotemporal dementia hereditary dementia Parkinson disease progressive supranuclear palsy tauopathy

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

TAUOPATHIES

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of California
RECRUITING

San Francisco, California, 94143, United States
University of Pennsylvania
RECRUITING

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

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