Updated May 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov
R21 Roche: 3-Way Tau Tracers in AD
Comparison of 18F-RO948, 18F-MK6240, and 18F-GTP1 Radiopharmaceuticals in Patients With Alzheimer Disease and Older Controls
R21 Roche: 3-Way Tau Tracers in AD (NCT05464368) is a Phase 1 interventional studying Alzheimer Disease, sponsored by Washington University School of Medicine. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.
About This Trial
This is an open label study to compare three new generation TAU radioligands, 18F-RO948 (formerly known as 18F-6958948), 18F-MK6240, and \[18F\]GTP1for imaging of taupathy and demonstrate their absence of off-target binding in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and older healthy controls (OC). The study will directly compare AD and OC with these three next-generation TAU radioligands and compare each of them with historical data of the current most widely used first generation radioligand, 18F-AV1451. Upto38 (30 AD (Amyloid +)and 8 OC (Amyloid -), matched for age and sex with A+ subjects) male and female subjects aged 50-100 will be enrolled in this study protocol: up to 8 for Cohort 1, up to 8 for Cohort 2, and up to 22 for Cohort 3. The study consists of three cohorts: Cohort 1: Up to8 AD subjects (A+; CDR 0.5 and 1)will receive two PET scans in random order, with receiving either18F-RO948 or18F-MK6240 at the first scan. A third scan with 18F-GTP1is possible, depending on timing and radiotracer availability Cohort 2:Up to8 OC (A-; CDR=0)subjects will receive two PET scans in random order, with receiving either18F-RO948or 18F-MK6240 at the first scan. A third scan with 18F-GTP1is possible, depending on timing and radiotracer availability Cohort 3:Up to 22 (A+; CDR = 0, .5 and 1) subjects will receive three PET scans in random order, with receiving 18F-RO94818F-MK6240 or18F-GTP1at the first scan. Efforts will be made to include about 1/3 CDR = 0, 1/3 CDR .5, and 1/3 CDR 1 in Cohort 3.
What Stage of Research Is This?
Phase 1 trials test a new treatment for the first time in humans, focusing on safety, dosing, and how the body processes the drug. For Alzheimer Disease, a Phase 1 study typically enrolls a small number of participants — often healthy volunteers or patients who have exhausted standard treatment options. Phase 1 results determine whether a treatment moves into larger Phase 2 efficacy studies.
This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.
With a target enrollment of 38 participants, this is a small study — typical of early-phase research, rare-disease trials, or pilot studies designed to generate preliminary signal before a larger study is launched.
Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)
These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.
Original Eligibility Criteria
View original clinical language
Treatments Being Tested
[18F]RO-948
Johns Hopkins University has conducted the first in human study in collaboration with Roche for 18F-RO948and found that 18F-RO948isa promising radioligand for imaging tau pathology in AD, showing excellent brain uptake and displaying little off-target binding(22, 17, 34).The injected activity for18F-RO948will be as low as practicable, while still allowing accurate quantification of the PET images.The injected dose of 370MBq(10mCi)has been selected based on the radiation dose estimates for18F-RO948gathered in human subjects provided by Michael Stabin, Ph.D., and in accordance with the principle that radiation doses should be "as low as reasonably achievable". This radiotracer will be manufactured on site in the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology Cyclotron Facility, a certified Nuclear Pharmacy.
18F-MK6240
18F-MK6240 is an investigational PET radiotracer discovered by Merck Research Laboratories and is being developed by Cerveau Technologies, Inc.,for imaging neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)in the brains of people withAlzheimerdisease.18F-MK6240 has been reported to exhibit good kinetics with high binding levels to brain regions associated with deposition of neurofibrillary tangles in people with AD(35,36).The tracer has been used to monitor the progression of AD.The injected activity for18F-MK6240 will be as low as practicable, while still allowing accurate quantification of the PET images.The injected dose will be 185MBq(5mCi) has been selected based on the radiation dose estimates gathered in human subjects(37)and in accordance with the principle that radiation doses should be "as low as reasonably achievable." This radiotracer will be manufactured on site in the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology Cyclotron Facility, a certified Nuclear Pharmacy.
18F-GTP1
18F-GTP1is anInvestigational tau PET radiotracer being developed by Genentech for imaging intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles in patients with AlzheimerDisease. 18F-GTP1 has been reported to exhibit high affinity and selectively for tau pathology, favorable dosimetry and brain kinetics. Degree of 18F-GTP1-specific binding increased withAD severity, could differentiate diagnostic cohorts, and monitor longitudinal change in tau burden. 18F-GTP1 will be provided from LMI sourced through Illinois or New Jersey certified location.
Locations (1)
Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.
How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial
Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT05464368), the sponsor (Washington University School of Medicine), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.
Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.
Authoritative Sources
The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCT05464368 clinical trial studying?
This is an open label study to compare three new generation TAU radioligands, 18F-RO948 (formerly known as 18F-6958948), 18F-MK6240, and \[18F\]GTP1for imaging of taupathy and demonstrate their absence of off-target binding in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and older healthy controls (OC). The study will directly compare AD and OC with these three next-generation TAU radioligands and compare each of them with historical data of the current most widely used first generation radioligand, 18F-AV1451. Upto38 (30 AD (Amyloid +)and 8 OC (Amyloid -), matched for age and sex with A+ subjects) ma… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.
Who can participate in NCT05464368?
Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.
How do I contact the trial site for NCT05464368?
Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.
Is participating in a clinical trial safe?
Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.
Where can I verify the data on this page?
Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.
How This Page Is Built
Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT05464368. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT05464368. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."
Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.
Last updated 2026-05-08 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.