Noninvasive molecular imaging of neuroinflammation

Inflammation, a complex process for tissue repair, also occurs in the brain (neuroinflammation). While initially considered separate from the immune system, the brain interacts with it, involving microglia and infiltrating immune cells. Neuroinflammation can both help and harm in diseases like stroke and multiple sclerosis. Molecular imaging is used to study the dynamic interactions of inflammation inducers, sensors, and effectors in the brain, both in animal models and patients. This review discusses neuroinflammation principles, molecular targets for imaging, and imaging in neurological diseases. The goal of molecular imaging is to understand the cellular biochemistry of neuroinflammation and to develop noninvasive methods that can guide therapeutic developments, prevent tissue damage, and support tissue repair processes.

• 1
  Microglial activation, a key component of neuroinflammation, can be imaged using TSPO-targeting tracers in various neurological diseases.
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  Imaging studies reveal that neuroinflammation plays a role in stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, encephalitis, and gliomas.
• 3
  Different imaging modalities, including PET, SPECT, and MRI, are used to visualize various aspects of neuroinflammation, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.