Title:Imaging Neuroinflammation in Ischemic Stroke and in the Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Chiara Cerami and Daniela Perani
Affiliation:Department of Nuclear Medicine and Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60 – 20134, Milan, Italy.
Keywords:[11C]PK11195, activated microglia, ischemic stroke, neuroinflammation, PET imaging.
Abstract:Neuroinflammation is a complex biological response to any injury occurring to the central
nervous system. It is mainly characterized by the recruitment of immune system cells, namely the microglial
cells, in the site of injury. Once activated, microglia expresses a cholesterol transporter protein
(TSPO), previously also known as peripheral type benzodiazepine receptor. PK11195 is a ligand for
TSPO and, labelled with a positron emitter, it is also the most used tracer for PET molecular imaging
to in vivo map the microglia activation in various neurological disorders, including ischemic stroke.
Recent [11C]PK11195 PET studies proved activated microglia both locally in the area of the infarct
and at distance along the affected fibre tracts, suggesting the presence of two different microglia subtypes with peculiar
functions in disease progression. The aim of this review is to discuss the most recent knowledge about imaging neuroinflammation
in ischemic stroke and in the atherosclerotic and vascular inflammatory disorders, trying to elucidate the interplay
between the clinical course and the activation of a microglial response.
