Chemistry, Probes & Molecular Therapy (CPMT): "Illuminating the Role of Inflammation in Neurodegenerative Disease Using Novel Molecular Imaging Strategies"

Abstract: Chronic inflammation and innate immune dysfunction have emerged as key factors in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. However, the in vivo spatiotemporal dynamics of inflammation in health and disease remains poorly understood. Non-invasive molecular imaging has the potential to reveal valuable insights into the complex neuroimmune interactions associated with neurodegenerative diseases. My research focuses on identifying, validating and translating appropriate imaging biomarkers to measure specific innate immune cells (e.g., microglia and macrophages) as well as their functional responses. Here, I will briefly summarize my work using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) to identify inflammation in preclinical models of AD and stroke. Additionally, I will describe the identification of a novel and highly-specific imaging biomarker of peripheral myeloid cells and demonstrate the ability to track CNS-infiltrating cells using PET in preclinical models of multiple sclerosis.