Effect size variability in PET Imaging studies

Music City Center 

Abstract: During the last decade multisite imaging studies have become very popular due to increased statistical power and enabling the generalization of research outcomes; however, significantly different tau PET tracer properties and inter-scanner variability hinders the direct comparability of multi-scanner PET data. The tau PET imaging field is lagging in terms of statistical harmonization methods due to the complexity associated with combination of different tracers and different scanners and the lack of a gold standard. In this study we present a standardization method across PET scanners and sites in neuroimaging studies of Alzheimer's Disease using a gold standard anatomically accurate multi-chamber PET phantom. We show variability of effect sizes across different simulated groups using existing harmonization techniques.

PET imaging

Dana harmonization