# The Knight Alzheimer Research Imaging (KARI) dataset: a comprehensive multimodal resource for exploring aging, preclinical, and symptomatic Alzheimer disease pathology

## TL;DR

The KARI dataset provides a detailed multimodal resource for studying Alzheimer's disease from early aging to symptomatic stages.

## Contribution

The KARI dataset introduces a comprehensive, longitudinal multimodal dataset for Alzheimer's research with extensive imaging and biomarker data.

## Key findings

- The dataset includes 1,645 participants with 6,217 acquisitions spanning the AD spectrum.
- It combines MRI and PET imaging with clinical, cognitive, genetic, and biomarker data.
- Quality-controlled processed outputs like anatomical segmentations are provided alongside raw imaging.

## Abstract

Alzheimer disease (AD) remains a significant global public health challenge, requiring robust multimodal datasets to elucidate its prolonged preclinical phase, improve early detection, advance understanding of disease trajectories, and guide intervention strategies. To address this, the Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center (Knight ADRC) at Washington University in St. Louis established the Knight Alzheimer Research Imaging (KARI) dataset. This paper characterizes this dataset emphasizing its phenotypical depth and longitudinal scope, detailing comprehensive multimodal neuroimaging from 1,645 participants (aged 42–97) across 6,217 acquisitions. Spanning the AD spectrum from healthy aging to symptomatic disease, the cohort undergoes extensive longitudinal imaging using structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alongside positron emission tomography (PET) tracers for amyloid and tau pathology. This is complemented by rich clinical, cognitive, genetic, and biomarker data. In addition to raw imaging, the dataset provides quality-controlled processed outputs, including anatomical segmentations and biomarker quantification. By making this data accessible to researchers, the Knight ADRC aims to accelerate discoveries in pathophysiology, biomarker identification, and therapeutic development.