Negative correlation of glucose metabolism and microglial activation in multiple system atrophy in the lentiform nucleus – a PET study

Background: Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is an atypical Parkinsonian Syndrome of unknown etiology. This neurodegenerative disorder has been found to be associated with microglial activation [1] but the exact role and time course of these neuroinflammatory changes are still largely unclear. [11C](R)-PK11195 Positron Emission Tomography (PET) can image activated microglia in vivo [2]. We have used [11C](R)-PK11195 and FDG in a dual tracer PET-study in order to elucidate the relationship between neuroinflammatory and metabolic changes in MSA. Methods: 6 patients diagnosed with MSA- P (parkinsonian type) with a mea…