SPECT Imaging to Evaluate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Abstract
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex clinical disorder resulting from exposure to intense, life-threatening events resulting in persistent re-experiencing of the trauma, avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma, dissociation, and heightened arousal which severely impact social and occupational functioning. Recent work has underscored morphological and functional brain alterations in PTSD patients using brain imaging with MRI, SPECT and PET imaging. Despite this encouraging preliminary work, there exists only a limited understanding of the pathophysiological changes which may subserve symptoms of PTSD. Preclinical studies now suggest that inflammatory changes may be implicated in neuronal loss in models of PTSD. Microglia represent a key inflammatory cell mediator within the CNS. Upon activation, these cells densely express an 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO) receptors on their cell surface. Hence, it is possible to develop a radiotracer which targets TSPO as a marker for neuroinflammation. We have performed preliminary work with the TSPO imaging agent 123-I CLINDE with a goal of this proposal is to establish and validate an imaging biomarker for neuroinflammation in PTSD subjects that could both enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology and identify new therapeutic strategies for PTSD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA581405
Entities
People
- John Seibyl
Organizations
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders