[11C]ER176 images brain inflammation across TSPO genotypes and colocalizes with tau

Accurately measuring brain inflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is crucial due to the role of inflammatory processes in neurodegeneration. In a recent study, Appleton, Finn, et al. used [11C]ER176, a novel translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO)-positron emission tomography (PET) tracer overcoming genotype-related binding issues, to show increased inflammation in early-onset AD, with patterns aligning more closely with tau pathology than amyloid deposition or atrophy.