Variable Details

Available Studies

ROS, MAP, MARS, Clinical Core, LATC

Scaled? 

Not Scaled

Variable Type 

Cross-Sectional

Variable Name 

b_score

Categories

Pathology

B score
NFT stage (4 levels), derived from Braak Stage

Braak score (4 levels) is a semiquantitative measure of severity of neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) pathology (see Braak stage). Bielschowsky silver stain was used to visualize NFTs in the frontal, temporal, parietal, entorhinal cortex, and the hippocampus. Braak stages were based upon the distribution and severity of NFT pathology. Diagnosis includes algorithm and neuropathologist’s opinion.

ValueCoding
0No neurofibrillary tangles
1Braak stages I or II: Indicates NFTs confined mainly to the entorhinal region of the brain
2Braak stages III or IV: indicates involvement of limbic regions such as the hippocampus
3Braak stages V or VI: indicates moderate to severe neocortical involvement.

Publications

Hyman BT, Phelps CH, Beach TG, Bigio EH, Cairns NJ, Carrillo MC, Dickson DW, Duyckaerts C, Frosch MP, Masliah E, Mirra SS, Nelson PT, Schneider JA, Thal DR, Thies B, Trojanowski JQ, Vinters HV, Montine TJ. National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association guidelines for the neuropathologic assessment of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association. 2012 Jan; 8 (1):1-13. PubMed PMID: 22265587; PubMedCentral PMCID: PMC3266529