TSPO-PET/MRI in Surveillance of Neuroinflammation in the Central Nervous System

Central Nervous System (CNS) inflammation is an immune response activated in the brain and spinal cord by microglial cells and astrocytes, commonly occurring under conditions such as central nervous system ischemia, autoimmunity, infection, toxins, and trauma. Microglial cells, as the innate immune cells of the central nervous system, are responsible for driving the inflammatory response and play a crucial role in sensing environmental changes, responding to harmful stimuli, and engulfing dead neurons. They also present antigens to T lymphocytes, mediating interactions between the peripheral immune system and the central nervous system. Factors released by neuronal cells can either promote or inhibit inflammation, and monitoring the level of inflammation driven by microglial cells is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system diseases. MRI is the primary imaging method for central nervous system inflammation, but it can be challenging to diagnose. PET/MR, a technology that integrates PET and MR imaging, provides high-quality diagnostic images and is valuable for the early detection, diagnosis, and assessment of central nervous system diseases. The radioactive ligand 18F-DPA-714 PET, targeting the translocation protein (TSPO), can visualize activated microglial cells, which may have a gain effect in detecting active central nervous system inflammation. This study aims to explore the application of 18F-DPA-714 PET/MR in the early diagnosis, treatment evaluation, and prognosis of central nervous system inflammation.