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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Positron Emission Tomography Imaging for In Vivo Measuring of Myelin Content in the Lysolecithin Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: February 28, 2021
Microglial imaging with positron emission tomography and atrophy measurements with magnetic resonance imaging in
J Versijpt1, J C Debruyne, K J Van Laere
1Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, the Netherlands.
Objective:
The objectives of the present study were to assess brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during different disease stages and to investigate by PET and [11C]PK11195, a marker of microglial activation, the relationship between inflammation, atrophy and clinically relevant measures.
Methods:
Eight healthy subjects and 22 MS patients were included. Semiquantitative [11C]PK11195 uptake values, with normalization on cortical grey matter, were measured for magnetic resonance imaging T2- and T1-lesions and normal appearing white matter (NAWM). As atrophy index we used the ratio of the amount of white and grey matter divided by the ventricular size, using an optimized a priori based segmentation algorithm (SPM99).
Results:
Atrophy was significantly greater in MS patients compared to age-matched controls. A significant correlation was found between brain atrophy and both disease duration and disability, as measured with the Expanded Disability Status Scale. For NAWM, [11C]PK11195 uptake increased with the amount of atrophy, while T2-lesional [11C]PK11195 uptake values decreased according to increasing brain atrophy.
Conclusions:
The present study suggests that brain atrophy, correlating with disease duration and disability, is directly related to NAWM and T2-lesional inflammation as measured by microglial activation.
Insights
Brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS) is linked to disease duration and disability. Microglial activation in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and T2 lesions correlates with this atrophy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by inflammation and neurodegeneration.
- Brain atrophy is a key feature of MS progression, impacting clinical outcomes.
- Microglial activation is implicated in MS pathogenesis, but its relationship with atrophy is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis patients across different disease stages.
- To investigate the association between microglial activation, measured by [11C]PK11195 Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and brain atrophy.
- To explore the relationship between inflammation, atrophy, and clinical measures in MS.
Main Methods:
- Included 8 healthy controls and 22 MS patients.
- Utilized Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with [11C]PK11195 to quantify microglial activation in lesions and normal appearing white matter (NAWM).
- Assessed brain atrophy using an optimized segmentation algorithm to calculate the ratio of white/grey matter to ventricular size.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited significantly greater brain atrophy than controls.
- Brain atrophy correlated significantly with disease duration and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.
- Increased [11C]PK11195 uptake in NAWM was associated with greater atrophy, while uptake in T2-lesions decreased with increasing atrophy.
Conclusions:
- Brain atrophy in MS is directly related to inflammation in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and T2 lesions, as indicated by microglial activation.
- These inflammatory processes, measured by microglial activation, correlate with disease duration and patient disability.
- The findings suggest microglial activation plays a role in MS-related brain atrophy and clinical progression.
