Translocator positron-emission tomography and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging of brain glial cell activation in multiple sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterised by a diffuse inflammatory response mediated by microglia and astrocytes. Brain translocator protein (TSPO) positron-emission tomography (PET) and [myo-inositol] magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were used together to assess this. Objective: To explore the in vivo relationships between MRS and PET [C-11]PBR28 in MS over a range of brain inflammatory burden. Methods: A total of 23 patients were studied. TSPO PET imaging with [C-11]PBR28, single voxel MRS and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences were undertaken. Disability was assessed by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC). Results: [C-11]PBR28 uptake and [myo-inositol] were not associated. When the whole cohort was stratified by higher [C-11]PBR28 inflammatory burden, [myo-inositol] was positively correlated to [C-11]PBR28 uptake (Spearman's =0.685, p=0.014). Moderate correlations were found between [C-11]PBR28 uptake and both MRS creatine normalised N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) concentration and grey matter volume. MSFC was correlated with grey matter volume (=0.535, p=0.009). There were no associations between other imaging or clinical measures. Conclusion: MRS [myo-inositol] and PET [C-11]PBR28 measure independent inflammatory processes which may be more commonly found together with more severe inflammatory disease. Microglial activation measured by [C-11]PBR28 uptake was associated with loss of neuronal integrity and grey matter atrophy.