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Insights into Imaging
Published in: Insights into Imaging 1/2012

Open Access 01-02-2012 | Review

Current paradigm of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) as a molecular target for PET imaging in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases

Authors: Alex Sik Chung Ching, Bertrand Kuhnast, Annelaure Damont, Dirk Roeda, Bertrand Tavitian, Frédéric Dollé

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Neuroinflammation is a process characterised by drastic changes in microglial morphology and by marked upregulation of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) on the mitochondria. The continual increase in incidence of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases poses a major health issue in many countries, requiring more innovative diagnostic and monitoring tools. TSPO expression may constitute a biomarker for brain inflammation that could be monitored by using TSPO tracers as neuroimaging agents. From medical imaging perspectives, this review focuses on the current concepts related to the TSPO, and discusses briefly on the status of its PET imaging related to neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases in humans.
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Metadata
Title
Current paradigm of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) as a molecular target for PET imaging in neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases
Authors
Alex Sik Chung Ching
Bertrand Kuhnast
Annelaure Damont
Dirk Roeda
Bertrand Tavitian
Frédéric Dollé
Publication date
01-02-2012
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Insights into Imaging / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-011-0128-x

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