PET Imaging of Inflammation following Brain Injury
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Positron Emission Tomography of Microglial Activation following Traumatic Brain Injury, using the ligand PK11195
IRAS ID
11531
Contact name
Jonathan P Coles
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
7 years, 0 months, 28 days
Research summary
Traumatic brain injury, (TBI) is a common and potentially devastating condition. There is increasing evidence that, after TBI, inflammation in the brain may cause further damage and worsen patient outcome. Most of the inflammation that has been studied in this context is an automatic response by the body, and does not depend on the development of new immunity. However, we have recently shown that a proportion of patients develop immune responses against brain tissue after TBI. Animal studies suggest that this may be beneficial, perhaps by promoting repair, but the role of these processes has not been studied in humans.
Understanding this response is a key step in developing novel treatments for TBI. Specific brain cells, called microglia, are thought to be responsible for this inflammation, and we have shown that they are activated following stroke. Looking at the activity of such cells in TBI would go a long way in understanding whether the immunity against brain tissue is beneficial or harmful, and would guide the development of future therapies. For example, if (as is the case in animals) this was a beneficial response, then there may be a case for vaccinating patients to boost such immunity. If on the other hand, it was harmful, there would be a case for testing drugs that reduced the response.
As a first step in this process, this study aims to characterize the microglial response to TBI. A technique called Positron Emission Tomography (PET) uses tracers called 'ligands' that contain a small amount of radioactivity that can be detected using very sensitive scanners and computer equipment. One particular ligand called PK11195 binds to microglia and can demonstrate when they are activated in the brain. MRI scans will also be used to image the brain, in order to look for structural injuries.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EE/0119
Date of REC Opinion
21 May 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion