Neurological Symptoms and Findings in Individuals Exposed to Indoor Air Pollutants

Health problems related to indoor air pollutants have been studied for several decades but there is still not sufficient scientific evidence to prove the association between many of the described symptoms and exposure to mold and other air pollutants.

This research aims on studying the activation of microglia and inflammation in the brains of individuals exposed to indoor air pollutants having neurological symptoms with MRI and TSPO-PET imaging, questionnaires and biomarkers and compare the findings to individuals having neurological conditions without exposure to indoor air pollutants as well as healthy controls.

Inclusion criteria

All:

• Signing the informed consent form
• Adults over 18 years of age

Indoor air pollutant groups:

• Exposed to indoor air pollutants
• Neurological symptoms

Neurological symptoms groups:

• Neurological symptoms possibly due to adverse external exposure

Healthy controls:

• Reported healthy person

Exclusion criteria

All:

• Pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Corticosteroid treatment within 4 weeks of imaging
• Patients with claustrophobia, or a history of moderate to severe anxiety disorder or panic attacks (which could potentially lead to preterm termination of the imaging)
• Contraindication to PET scan and MRI investigations
• Exposure to experimental radiation in the past 12 months such that radiodosimetry limits would be exceeded by participating in this study.
• Intolerance to previous PET scans; i.e. previous hypersensitivity reactions to any PET ligand or imaging agent or failure to participate in and comply with previous PET scans.

Neurological symptoms groups and healthy controls:

• Exposure to indoor air pollutants