PET-MR imaging of an animal model of multiple sclerosis: evaluation of new radiotracers for myelin – Myelin-Imaging

Multiple sclerosis is the prototype autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. Effective therapies to reverse neuronal damage and restore function are a major unmet need. New drugs that promote the formation of myelin may be effective in reducing long-term disability. An associated imaging method of brain white matter is eagerly needed to evaluate these potential treatments. This could add predictive value to current management of patients with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine technique consisting in the injection of a radiolabeled probe. The main objective of the current proposal is to evaluate such myelin radiotracers comparatively to advanced MRI techniques in a primate model of multiple sclerosis. This short-term study in animals will prepare a clinical trial in patients by providing key information that would hardly be gathered in humans (or at the price of an increased exposition to medical radioactivity).