Clinical Research Directory

Multimodal PET Imaging With 18F-FDG/SV2A/TSPO for Resection Planning in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

This study focuses on the application value of 18F-FDG, SV2A, and TSPO PET imaging in the preoperative localization of epileptogenic foci in epilepsy. 18F-FDG PET detects glucose metabolism in brain tissue and is characterized by reduced metabolism during the interictal period. It is currently the most commonly used localization method in clinical practice, especially suitable for temporal lobe epilepsy, but has limited sensitivity to foci with insignificant metabolic changes. SV2A PET targets synaptic vesicle proteins and reflects synaptic density, showing reduced uptake in epileptogenic foci areas. It has high localization accuracy, can effectively supplement the diagnosis of 18F-FDG PET-negative cases, and also has good application prospects in non-temporal lobe epilepsy. TSPO PET monitors microglial activation to reflect neuroinflammation, with increased uptake in epileptogenic foci areas, and has unique auxiliary diagnostic value in refractory epilepsy and cases with concurrent brain injury. The combined application of the three can provide a more comprehensive imaging basis for preoperative localization of epilepsy, helping to optimize surgical plans.

Targeted Translocator Protein PET Imaging Evaluate Neuroinflammation of the Chronic Pain Patients

Chronic pain is a major public health issue, which seriously affects patients' quality of life. Neuroinflammation is an important mechanism resulting in chronic pain. Translocator protein (TSPO) has served as a marker of microglial activation and neuroinflammation. 18F-DPA714, a tracer targeted TSPO, can be used to evaluate the microglial activation and neuroinflammation in vivo by PET imaging.Recent and increasing studies have found changes in TSPO and its ligands in various chronic pain models. Reversing their expressions has been shown to alleviate chronic pain in these models, illustrating the effects of TSPO and its ligands.The investigators aim to explore the clinical feasibility used 18F-DPA714 PET imaging to monitor microglial cells activation of center nervous system in chronic pain patients. This study might reveal significant neuroinflammatory process in the center nervous system of the chronic pain patients. The results of this study might provide a new biomarker of disease pathological progression and indicates that TSPO-based therapy may become an alternative strategy for treating chronic pain.