PET visualization of microglia in multiple sclerosis patients using [11C]PK11195.

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.

• 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
• Journal: European journal of neurology (Eur J Neurol) Vol. 10 Issue 3 Pg. 257-64 (May 2003) ISSN: 1351-5101 [Print] England
• PMID: 12752399 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Isoquinolines
• PK 11195

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• Antineoplastic Agents (metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Brain Mapping
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Isoquinolines (metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Male
• Microglia (diagnostic imaging, metabolism)
• Middle Aged
• Multiple Sclerosis (diagnostic imaging, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Parietal Lobe (metabolism, pathology, physiopathology)
• Radioligand Assay (methods)
• Recurrence
• Thalamus (diagnostic imaging, metabolism, pathology)
• Tomography, Emission-Computed (methods)