Hong Liu MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Michael S. Valerio BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jungmin Han, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rutao Yao PHD, , Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hani H. Abdel-Nabi MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Murali Ramanathan PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bianca Weinstock-Guttman MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Atif Awad PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a widely utilized animal model of multiple sclerosis. There is still no solid method to detect the real-time immune process in vivo. This study will investigate whether [18F] Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) micro Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in conjunction with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) could be used to monitor EAE development and this approach is sensitive enough to evaluate phytosterol (plant sterol) therapeutic effect. Phytosterol has been proved to modulate immune response in vitro.

EAE was induced in 10 weeks old female SJL mice by administration of proteolipid protein (PLP139-151) peptide and pertusis. There were two groups of mice, 6 mice in each group. Phytosterol or placebo oral route treatment started 7 days before EAE induction. The treatment continued until sacrificed after onset of EAE. Mice were scanned by microPET and microMRI at two time-points: before induction EAE and onset of EAE. 18F-FDG was administered through IP injection.

Significant increased FDG uptake was observed in spinal cord of EAE mice compared with that of normal controls. There was no obvious central nervous system lesion under microMRI study during the onset of EAE.

PET is more sensitive than MRI to detect the early neuroinflammation process during the onset of EAE. Serial 18F-FDG PET imaging could be applied to monitor autoimmune disease development in vivo and potentially evaluate the therapeutic effects. In addition, IP administration of FDG is a reliable and convenient method.

The current study will expand the clinical application of PET in the field of neuroimaging.

Liu, H, Valerio, M, Han, J, Yao, R, Abdel-Nabi, H, Ramanathan, M, Weinstock-Guttman, B, Awad, A, Evaluation of Neuroinflammation in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice with Micro Positron Emission Tomography and Micro Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8004773.html