Neuroinflammation, characterized in particular by microglia activation, is an essential
component of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. Translocator Protein (TSPO) is
recognized as a specific and sensitive biomarker of neuroinflammation, reflecting disease
activity. An experimental radiopharmaceutical specific of TSPO expression, namely
[18F]DPA714, allow to quantify this microglial activation using Positon Emission Tomography
(PET) imaging.
The purpose of this study is to longitudinally correlate the spatial distribution of
neuroinflammation with the pro- or anti-inflammatory state of activated microglia cells in
ALS, in order to evaluate neurotoxic or neuroprotective microglia activity, by complementary
approaches in 20 ALS patients:
- in vitro: measuring concentrations of several pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines
secreted by microglial cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- in vivo: [18F]DPA714 PET imaging. These assays will be performed in the framework of the
clinical follow-up of ALS patients, at the diagnosis of ALS disease and 6 months latter.