Neuroinflammation imaging techniques that have been used in humans
| Ligand | Imaging modality | Mechanism of imaging neuroinflammation |
|---|---|---|
| PK11195 | PET, SPECT | Measures TSPO |
| Ro5–4864 | PET | Measures TSPO |
| PBR28 | PET | Measures TSPO |
| FEDAA1106 | PET | Measures TSPO |
| DAA1106 | PET | Measures TSPO |
| AC-5216 | PET | Measures TSPO |
| Vincopetine | PET | Measures TSPO |
| FEPPA | PET | Measures TSPO |
| DEP (Deprenyl) | PET | Selective irreversible MAO-B antagonist that labels activated astrocytes |
| DED (Deuteriodeprenyl) | PET | Selective irreversible MAO-B antagonist that labels activated astrocytes |
| Arachidonic acid | PET | Neuroinflammation is characterised by phospholipase A2 activation, and thus arachidonic acid metabolism, in glia and neurones |
| TMSX | PET | Measures adenosine A2A receptors (a putative regulator of inflammation) |
| MRS | Measurement of myoinositol, N-acetylaspartate and choline (metabolites proposed to be elevated in neuroinflammation) | |
| Free-water MRI | MRI | A diffusion MRI processing analysis that can calculate extracellular volume, which is sensitive to neuroinflammation, and tissue fractional anisotropy, which is sensitive to axonal degeneration. Mainly images neuroinflammation of white matter |
| USPIO eg, SHU555C | MRI | Labels peripheral macrophages that have infiltrated the CNS |
| Gadolinium-DTPA | MRI | Images BBB breakdown, a putative ‘marker’ of inflammation |
CNS, central nervous system; MAO-B, monoamine oxidase B; MRS, magnetic resonance spectroscopy; PET, positron emission tomography; SPECT, single-photon emission computed tomography; USPIO, ultrasmall particle iron oxide.