August 4, 2026
National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology(QST)
Kyoto University
Keio University
Institute of Science Tokyo
Abstract
Researchers from the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Kyoto University, Keio University, and the Institute of Science Tokyo have provided the first in vivo evidence that tau pathology, a hallmark of dementia-related neurodegeneration, is frequently present in people who develop psychosis in midlife or later. Using QST’s advanced tau PET tracer florzolotau (^18F), the team found diverse patterns of tau accumulation in approximately 65% of patients with late-onset psychosis, a markedly higher prevalence than in healthy older adults. The findings suggest that hallucinations and delusions emerging after age 40 may, in many cases, reflect underlying neurodegenerative processes associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies. This work may contribute to earlier diagnosis, objective assessment of disease mechanisms, and the future development of personalized treatments based on the underlying brain pathology.
The study was published online in Molecular Psychiatry on August 2, 2026.
EurekAlert!
The results were also featured on EurekAlert! on August 4, 2026(UTC).
Brain scans reveal tau buildup in late-onset psychosis | EurekAlert!