Evidence for astrocytosis in ALS demonstrated by [11C](L)-deprenyl-D2 PET.
OBJECTIVE
To use deuterium-substituted [11C](L)-deprenyl PET to depict astrocytosis in vivo in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).


BACKGROUND
In human brain, the enzyme MAO-B is primarily located in astrocytes. L-deprenyl binds to MAO-B and autoradiography with 3H-L-deprenyl has been used to map astrocytosis in vitro. Motor neuron loss in ALS is accompanied by astrocytosis and astrocytes may play an active role in the neurodegenerative process. Deuterium-substituted [11C](L)-deprenyl PET provides an opportunity to localize astrocytosis in vivo in the brain of patients with ALS.


METHODS
Deuterium-substituted [11C](L)-deprenyl PET was performed in seven patients with ALS and seven healthy control subjects.


RESULTS
Increased uptake rate of [11C](L)-deprenyl was demonstrated in ALS in pons and white matter.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that astrocytosis may be detected in vivo in ALS by the use of deuterium-substituted [11C](L)-deprenyl PET though further studies are needed to determine whether deuterium-substituted [11C](L)-deprenyl binding tracks disease progression and reflects astrocytosis.
Johansson
Anders
A
Department of Neurology, University Hospital, S-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. anders.johansson@neurologi.uu.se
Engler
Henry
H
Blomquist
Gunnar
G
Scott
Berit
B
Wall
Anders
A
Aquilonius
Sten-Magnus
SM
Långström
Bengt
B
Askmark
Håkan
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000201:enzymology; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D003903:Deuterium; D005260:Female; D005911:Gliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000201:enzymology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012642:Selegiline
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D012642:Selegiline; D003903:Deuterium; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase