Assessment of Synaptic Density in MS

Summary

The investigators propose to use the novel SV2a-PET ligand, \[F-18\]SDM-8 to assess synaptic density in progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) (including primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS)), given its improved imaging characteristics and potential for large scale applicability. The specific aims of the study are: Aim 1: To compare the cortical and subcortical grey matter synaptic density in PMS patients, patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), and healthy subjects, using a novel \[F-18\] labeled synaptic density PET ligand, \[F-18\]SDM8, also known as \[F-18\]SynvesT-1. Aim 2: To compare the relationship of synaptic density PET and standard 3T MRI measures including global and regional brain atrophy and lesion load with clinical measures of physical disability, cognitive impairment, fatigue and depression in MS patients. Aim 3: To assess the relationship of synaptic density PET with serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) and with serum measurements of inflammatory markers, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1 (Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1) and MIF-1 (Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor-1).

Timeline

Start

2025-05-14

Primary completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2026-12-31

Publications

• Background Tourdias T, Dousset V. Neuroinflammatory imaging biomarkers: relevance to multiple sclerosis and its therapy. Neurotherapeutics. 2013 Jan;10(1):111-23. doi: 10.1007/s13311-012-0155-4.
• Background Mendoza-Torreblanca JG, Vanoye-Carlo A, Phillips-Farfan BV, Carmona-Aparicio L, Gomez-Lira G. Synaptic vesicle protein 2A: basic facts and role in synaptic function. Eur J Neurosci. 2013 Dec;38(11):3529-39. doi: 10.1111/ejn.12360. Epub 2013 Sep 16.
• Background Cai Z, Li S, Matuskey D, Nabulsi N, Huang Y. PET imaging of synaptic density: A new tool for investigation of neuropsychiatric diseases. Neurosci Lett. 2019 Jan 19;691:44-50. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.07.038. Epub 2018 Jul 31.
• Background Wegner C, Esiri MM, Chance SA, Palace J, Matthews PM. Neocortical neuronal, synaptic, and glial loss in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2006 Sep 26;67(6):960-7. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000237551.26858.39.
• Background Mandolesi G, Grasselli G, Musumeci G, Centonze D. Cognitive deficits in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: neuroinflammation and synaptic degeneration. Neurol Sci. 2010 Nov;31(Suppl 2):S255-9. doi: 10.1007/s10072-010-0369-3.
• Background Di Filippo M, Portaccio E, Mancini A, Calabresi P. Multiple sclerosis and cognition: synaptic failure and network dysfunction. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2018 Oct;19(10):599-609. doi: 10.1038/s41583-018-0053-9.
• Background Friese MA. Widespread synaptic loss in multiple sclerosis. Brain. 2016 Jan;139(Pt 1):2-4. doi: 10.1093/brain/awv349. No abstract available.
• Background Peterson JW, Bo L, Mork S, Chang A, Trapp BD. Transected neurites, apoptotic neurons, and reduced inflammation in cortical multiple sclerosis lesions. Ann Neurol. 2001 Sep;50(3):389-400. doi: 10.1002/ana.1123.
• Background Weiner HL. The challenge of multiple sclerosis: how do we cure a chronic heterogeneous disease? Ann Neurol. 2009 Mar;65(3):239-48. doi: 10.1002/ana.21640.

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