Increased microglial activation in MCI and AD: An (R)-[11C]PK11195 PET study

Purpose: Recent evidence suggests that inflammatory mechanisms, like microglial activation, are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglial activation can be quantified in vivo using (R)-[C]PK11195 and PET. The purpose of the present study was to investigate extent and distribution of (R)-[C]PK11195 binding in AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. A second aimwas to establish whether the presence of activated microglia in MCI is associated with progression to AD.