TSPO-PET/CT Imaging to Detect Infarct Formation in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke

Source: Chaney, A. M., et.al. PET Imaging of Neuroinflammation Using [11C]DPA-713 in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke. J. Vis. Exp. (2018). This video demonstrates a technique for in vivo imaging of neuroinflammation in a mouse model of ischemic stroke using a TSPO-specific radiotracer. Following injection, the radiotracer binds to TSPO, a protein located on the outer mitochondrial membrane and overexpressed in activated immune cells. A PET/CT scanner detects the radiotracer's distribution and generates an image co-registered with CT data, allowing precise localization of neuroinflammatory regions in the brain.