[18 F]GE180 positron emission tomographic imaging indicates a potential double-hit insult in the intrahippocampal kainate mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

TSPO in vivo imaging reliably detects brain inflammation during epileptogenesis. These inflammatory processes most prominently affect the hippocampus ipsilateral to the injection site. Inflammation induced by the traumatic insult associated with surgery synergistically contributes to total brain inflammation and may also contribute to epileptogenesis. The revealed time course of neuroinflammation will help to identify appropriate time points for anti-inflammatory, potentially antiepileptogenic treatment.