A microPET study of the regional distribution of [11C]-PK11195 binding following temporary focal cerebral ischemia in the rat. Correlation with post mortem mapping of microglia activation

► Microglia activation (MA) has both neurotoxic and prorepair effects after stroke. ► Does the regional distribution of 11C-PK11195 correlate with in vitro MA post stroke? ► In rats we found significant correlation between Day 14 11C-PK11195 and OX42 staining. ► Statistically significant 11C-PK11195 binding increases were also present at Day 2. ► These results further validate the use of 11C-PK11195 PET for MA imaging after stroke.