Preclinical PET imaging in epileptogenesis: towards identification of biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Abstract Background Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects a significant portion of the global population. However, its complexity and the lack of biomarkers hinder the study of its etiology, resulting in a lack of effective treatments to slow down or halt disease development, also called...

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Main Authors: Nira Hernández-Martín, Ignacio Pozo-Cabanell, Rubén Fernández de la Rosa, Luis García-García, Francisca Gómez-Oliver, Miguel Ángel Pozo, Mirjam Brackhan, Pablo Bascuñana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-04-01
Series:EJNMMI Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13550-025-01237-3
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Summary:Abstract Background Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects a significant portion of the global population. However, its complexity and the lack of biomarkers hinder the study of its etiology, resulting in a lack of effective treatments to slow down or halt disease development, also called epileptogenesis. Main body Animal models have proven to be a crucial tool for studying epileptogenesis, many exhibiting cellular, molecular, and functional alterations that resemble those found in human patients. This review examines preclinical studies that have utilized positron emission tomography, a non-invasive neuroimaging technique that has demonstrated correlation with the pathological features and behavioral comorbidities of the disease and a high predictive value for the severity of epileptogenesis. Conclusion Positron emission tomography imaging has fostered the knowledge of the mechanisms driving epileptogenesis. This translational technique might be crucial for identifying biomarkers of epilepsy, identifying novel treatment targets and selecting and monitoring patients for potential future therapies.
ISSN:2191-219X