J. Clin. Med., 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/jcm12010116 · Published: December 23, 2022
This study used PET/MRI imaging to visualize inflammation in the spinal cord of patients with neuropathic pain. The researchers focused on activated microglia, a type of immune cell, and a protein called TSPO that indicates their activity. The study found that inflammation, as measured by TSPO levels, was correlated with the severity of neuropathic pain in patients.
PET/MRI with TSPO ligands could potentially serve as an objective tool for evaluating chronic neuropathic pain.
Microglial activation and TSPO expression may be a therapeutic target for managing neuropathic pain, especially in the acute and subacute phases after spinal cord injury.
Further research with advanced TSPO radioligands and brain imaging could lead to personalized treatment strategies based on individual neuroinflammatory profiles.