Evaluating 18F-DPA-714 PET Imaging for Detecting Neuroinflammation in Adults with Autoimmune Encephalitis

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of 18F-DPA-714 PET imaging to detect neuroimmune activity in patients with autoimmune encephalitis AE, a rare group of diseases affecting the central nervous system. The study aims to compare the binding of this imaging marker in AE patients versus healthy controls. This is important because current diagnostic tools like MRI and cerebrospinal fluid analysis often fall short in identifying inflammation in AE, making diagnosis challenging. The study involves a 60-minute dynamic PET scan performed immediately after injection of 18F-DPA-714. Participants include newly diagnosed AE patients and healthy control volunteers. Patients will receive clinical evaluations, MRI scans, and lumbar punctures as part of their usual care. The research team will analyze PET images and compare them to conventional biomarkers to assess neuro-immune activity. Participants will undergo clinical assessments and imaging at the start of the study. The main measurement is the binding potential of the radioligand in AE patients, assessed using PET imaging. The study will monitor participants from enrollment until the end of follow-up, comparing imaging results between patients and healthy controls. Safety and treatment history will be considered throughout the study duration, which runs until January 2028.

Is [18F]-DPA-714 PET a Good Marker of Neuroinflammation in Autoimmune Encephalitis?