Brain Amyloid and Inflammation Imaging: A Convergence of Concepts

Molecular imaging in the brain and other organs continues to advance understanding of disease mechanisms, new targets for treatment, and new diagnostic biomarkers. Brain amyloid and inflammation imaging are two areas of intense investigation. Progress in amyloid imaging has resulted in one approved PET tracer and several others in clinical development. Current efforts focus on early treatment with amyloid reducing drugs in patients who are amyloid scan positive prior to the onset of fully developed dementia. Inflammation imaging is primarily directed toward translocator protein imaging in multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory brain disorders. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), having an inflammatory component, is receiving increased attention from the standpoint of the genetics of inflammation and the use of inflammation imaging agents. A convergence of interest in the role of inflammation and amyloid deposition in AD may elucidate new disease mechanisms and advance therapeutic and diagnostic approaches.