Imaging Neuroimmune Dysfunction: From TSPO to Emerging Positron Emission Tomography Targets

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Neuroimmune system dysregulation is implicated in psychiatric disorders.
• Studying microglia, the brain's immune cells, is crucial for understanding these conditions.
• Current methodologies have limitations in fully elucidating the neuroimmune role in psychiatric illness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in positron emission tomography (PET) molecular brain imaging for studying neuroinflammation.
• To explore novel radiotracers beyond the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) for microglia imaging.
• To highlight the potential of advanced PET imaging in psychiatric disorder diagnostics and therapeutics.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on PET imaging in neuroimmunopsychiatry.
• Discussion of established PET tracers (e.g., targeting TSPO) and their limitations.
• Exploration of emerging PET radiotracers targeting specific microglial pathways.

Main Results:

• PET imaging allows in vivo study of microglial targets.
• Limitations of TSPO-based PET imaging necessitate new tracer development.
• Novel tracers offer more specific insights into microglial dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Advanced PET imaging biomarkers are crucial for understanding neuroimmune dynamics in psychiatric disorders.
• These imaging approaches promise to refine diagnostic strategies.
• Novel PET tracers can identify new therapeutic targets for psychiatric conditions.