Using quantitative PET, the authors studied the binding of [C-11]PK11195, a
marker of activated microglia, in the thalamus of patients with chronic mi
ddle cerebral artery infarcts. All patients showed increased [C-11]PK11195
binding in the ipsilateral thalamus, indicating the activation of microglia
in degenerating projection areas remote from the primary lesion. A persist
ent increase in [C-11]PK11195 binding suggests active, long-term thalamic m
icrostructural changes after corticothalamic connection damage.