This study evaluated 51^MnCl2 PET/MR as a molecular imaging tool to detect calcium-associated neural activity in a rat spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain. Researchers observed that nerve injury induced mechanical hypersensitivity and elevated tracer uptake in relevant spinal cord regions and injured sciatic nerves, both of which were reduced following buprenorphine administration. Ultimately, these findings provide proof-of-concept evidence that 51^MnCl2 PET/MR can non-invasively visualize pain-associated neural activity and monitor therapeutic response in vivo.
Source : https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13064-026-00308-y
