Microglia imaging

Imaging of microglia cells using the radiolabeled ligand toward peripheral benzodiazepine receptor(PBR) is applied to brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. A novel PBR radioligand other than [11C] PK11195 might be desirable to detailedly delineate this complicated phenomenon and a novel idea other than in vitro PBR binding ability is desirable to expect feasibility of a new candidate. Current status, problems and future prospects associated with indirect imaging of microglial activity with [11C] PK11195 will be discussed.