Teva and University College London announce brain imaging study

Teva is to collaborate with University College London on an innovative new brain imaging study.

The research will combine state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques with key biomarkers, with the aim of building a better understanding of the role of inflammation in neurodegenerative disease.

Dubbed the Pilot Longitudinal Study in Alzheimer's Disease of Central Markers of Microglial Activation, the two-year study will involve 20 patients and will examine the prevalence and pattern of activation of microglia in the central nervous system in people with symptoms of neurodegenerative disease.

It could potentially lead to a new approach in the early diagnosis and treatment of such conditions, while demonstrating Teva's commitment to helping the UK research community develop new dementia insights, following on from the recent government Dementia Summit.

Dr Michael Hayden, Teva's president of research and development and chief scientific officer, said: "The focus on microglial activation heralds a new therapeutic area of interest for most neurodegenerative diseases, potentially with very high impact on disease modification therapies."