Glial activation in chronic back pain: replication of the original observation and association with negative affect

Using positron emission tomography and the radioligand [11C]PBR28, we recently demonstrated elevated brain levels of the 18  kDa translocator protein (TSPO)1, a glial activation marker, in chronic low back pain (cLBP) patients. Here we scanned additional cLBP patients (N = 11) and controls (N = 18) to determine the reproducibility of the initial findings, and interrogate the association between glial activation and negative affect. Standardized uptake value (SUV60-90 min) images, normalized by whole brain (SUVR), were used as an outcome metric.
Source: The Journal of Pain - Category: Materials Science Authors: Source Type: research