PET visualization of microglia in multiple sclerosis patients using [11C]PK11195 |
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Authors: | J. C. Debruyne J. Versijpt K. J. Van Laere F. De Vos J. Keppens K. Strijckmans E. Achten G. Slegers R. A. Dierckx J. Korf J. L. De Reuck |
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Affiliation: | Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. jan.debruyne@rug.ac.be |
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Abstract: | Activated microglia are involved in the immune response of multiple sclerosis (MS). The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) is expressed on microglia and up-regulated after neuronal injury. [11C]PK11195 is a positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand for the PBR. The objective of the present study was to investigate [11C]PK11195 imaging in MS patients and its additional value over magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) concerning the immuno-pathophysiological process. Seven healthy and 22 MS subjects were included. Semiquantitative [11C]PK11195 uptake values were assessed with normalization on cortical grey matter. Uptake in Gadolinium-lesions was significantly increased compared with normal white matter. Uptake in T2-lesions was generally decreased, suggesting a PBR down-regulation. However, uptake values increased whenever a clinical or MR-relapse was present, suggestive for a dynamic process with a transient PBR up-regulation. During disease progression, an increase of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) uptake was found, propagating NAWM as the possible real burden of disease. In conclusion, [11C]PK11195 and PET are able to demonstrate inflammatory processes with microglial involvement in MS. |
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Keywords: | inflammation microglia multiple sclerosis peripheral benzodiazepine receptor PK11195 positron emission tomography |
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