PET scan that finds harmful brain inflammation by targeting myeloperoxidase
Official title: Developing a PET tracer targeting myeloperoxidase activity for neurodegenerative diseases
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11297526 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new PET imaging tracer that lights up the enzyme myeloperoxidase to find early brain inflammation in people with Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $523,013 |
| NIH project number | 4R01AG075055-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11297526 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with early or suspected Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or related neurodegenerative conditions who are able to travel for and undergo PET imaging.
✕Less likely to help
People without neurodegenerative disease, those with very advanced irreversible brain damage, or individuals unable to have PET scans (for example, pregnancy or other contraindications) are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will develop a radioactive tracer that binds to myeloperoxidase, an enzyme linked to damaging inflammation in the brain. They will test the tracer in the lab and on human tissue before using PET scans to see whether it highlights inflammation in people with early Alzheimer's and similar disorders. The imaging will be compared with existing scans and biological markers to check if it shows inflammation earlier or more specifically. Over time, the tracer could be used to follow disease activity or to see whether anti-inflammatory treatments are working.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could enable earlier and more specific detection of damaging brain inflammation, helping guide treatment decisions and monitor responses.
How similar studies have gone: Other PET markers of neuroinflammation (such as TSPO tracers) have shown mixed clinical results, and MPO-targeting tracers are a newer approach with promising preclinical data but limited human experience.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, John W — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chen, John W
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.