Abstract
The diagnostic hallmarks of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons and of corticospinal tracts. Here, we demonstrate the suitability of the gliosis marker [3H]PK11195 for quantitative evaluation of tract degeneration in ALS in vitro. Binding of [3H]PK11195 was increased in lateral and ventral white matter of ALS spinal cords but not in the anterior horn, in spite of a dramatic loss in muscarinic binding sites and a high level of oxidatively modified protein. Labeling of activated microglia with [11C]PK11195 may also allow tract degeneration in ALS to be visualized in vivo.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / pathology*
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / physiopathology
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Autoradiography
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Binding Sites / drug effects
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Binding Sites / physiology
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Biomarkers / analysis
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Gliosis / pathology*
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Gliosis / physiopathology
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HLA-DR Antigens / metabolism
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Humans
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Isoquinolines
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Microglia / drug effects
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Microglia / metabolism
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Middle Aged
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Nerve Degeneration / pathology*
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Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology
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Oxidative Stress / physiology
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Pyramidal Tracts / pathology*
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Pyramidal Tracts / physiopathology
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Receptors, GABA-A / drug effects
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Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
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Receptors, Muscarinic / drug effects
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Receptors, Muscarinic / metabolism
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Tritium
Substances
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Biomarkers
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HLA-DR Antigens
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Isoquinolines
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Receptors, GABA-A
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Receptors, Muscarinic
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Tritium
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PK 11195