[18F]PBR111 and Microglial Activation in Multiple Sclerosis

This is a study aimed to characterize \[18F\]PBR111 as an in vivo marker of microglial activation in Multiple Sclerosis. Regional binding of \[18F\]PBR111 will be quantified with PET in the brain of up to 24 patients with multiple sclerosis and up to 24 age- and gender- matched healthy volunteers.

Multiple Sclerosis is characterized by brain areas of focal neuroinflammation. Imaging of microglia activation in multiple sclerosis could represent a useful marker of neuroinflammation. A novel PET tracer with high affinity to TSPO, \[18F\]PBR111, is a promising tool for PET imaging of activated microglia.

This is a study aimed to characterize \[18F\]PBR111 as an in vivo marker of microglial activation in Multiple Sclerosis. Regional binding of \[18F\]PBR111 will be quantified with PET in the brain of up to 24 patients with multiple sclerosis and up to 24 age- and gender- matched healthy volunteers. A subgroup of patients and healthy volunteers will be scanned twice in consecutive days, to test the reproducibility of the measure. Another subgroup of patients will be re-scanned with \[18F\]PBR111 after 4-6 months. MRI-based measures will be acquired at baseline and, in those patients with later repeat PET scans, also after 4-6 months.

Data from this study will inform about the possible implementation of the \[18F\]PBR111 ligand to monitor the neuroinflammatory process, disease progression, and response to treatment in MS patients.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or Female, aged 20-70
2. Able to read, comprehend and record information written in English.
3. Capable of giving written informed consent
4. Provide a venous blood sample that will be used for genetics research and the in vitro ligand binding assay.
5. A female subject is eligible to participate if she is willing to follow contraception guidelines or if she is of non-childbearing potential.
6. Male subjects must agree to use one of the contraception methods

MS subjects:

1. Clinical or clinical and laboratory supported diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
2. EDSS score up to and including 7.5 at screening evaluation

Healthy Volunteers:

1. Healthy control subjects defined as free from clinically significant active disease as assessed by the Principal Investigator from their medical and psychiatric past and present history

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Exclusion Criteria:

1. If female, positive urine pregnancy test
2. An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 ml/kg/1.73m2
3. History or presence of a neurological diagnosis
4. Previous inclusion in a research and/or medical protocol involving nuclear medicine, PET or radiological investigations with radiation exposure.
5. Family history of cancer (one or more first-degree relative diagnosed before the age of 55).
6. Subject or caregiver is an immediate family member or employee of the participating Investigator, any of the participating site staff or GSK staff.
7. Any subject the investigator deems unsuitable for the study (e.g., due to either medical reasons, laboratory abnormalities or subject's unwillingness to comply with all study-related procedures).
8. Contraindications to MRI scanning
9. Any physical abnormality or functional disability which prevents the subject from acquiring a suitable position for scanning.
10. History of or suffers from claustrophobia or feels that he will be unable to lie still on his back in the PET camera or MRI scanner for a period of at least 90mins.
11. Unwillingness or inability to follow the procedures outlined in the protocol. -