What is [18F]-DPA-714 PET studying for autoimmune encephalitis?

This trial studies how well [18F]-DPA-714 PET imaging detects neuroimmune activity in autoimmune encephalitis patients compared to healthy controls. Researchers want to improve diagnosis by assessing brain inflammation using this imaging method. The University Hospital, Toulouse leads this research to better understand immune activity in the brain.

Who may be eligible for this autoimmune encephalitis clinical trial?

Adults aged 18 to 80 years with a recent diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis and identified antibodies may be eligible. Participants should not have received second-line immunosuppressive treatments and must have a specific TSPO binding type. This study accepts all genders. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this autoimmune encephalitis clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the PET scan and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. Personal travel expenses may vary and are usually not covered by the study. Participants should plan accordingly for any travel or accommodation needs.

Actively Recruiting

Phase 2

Age: 18Years - 80Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID07488117

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

Led by University Hospital, Toulouse · Updated on 2026-05-11

Participants Needed

Research Sites

30 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

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.