[18F]-FHBG for PET imaging of herpes viruses: a control study with healthy volunteers

In a previous pilot study on the role of herpes viruses in schizophrenia it was
found that severely affected schizophrenic patients (based on severity of
psychosis and memory disorder), had a significantly higher metabolic rate of
the PET tracer [18F]-FHBG in the temporal lobe, when compared to mildly
affected patients. The higher metabolic rate of [18F]-FHBG suggests the
presence of active herpes viruses. In order to draw the right conclusion on the
presence of active herpes viruses in the temporal lobe of schizophrenic
patients, it is of importance to compare the metabolic rate of [18F]-FHBG in
patients, to the metabolic rate in healthy volunteers.

The primary objective is to determine the metabolic rate of [18F]-FHBG in the
brain of healthy volunteers, for comparison with the metabolic rate that was
found in schizophrenic patients in the previous study.

This study in healthy volunteers is a pilot study that will performed in
addition to the previous pilot study in schizophrenic patients that was started
in 2005. The study design in the present study will be equal to the study
design in the previous study, to allow for comparison between the healthy
volunteers and the schizophrenic patients.
Healthy volunteers will be recruited via advertisement in public buildings and
local newspapers. Interested healthy volunteers will receive both oral and
written information about the study and will have two weeks time for reflection
to decide whether or not to participate in the study. Healthy volunteers that
would like to participate in the study are asked to sign the written informed
consent. To determine whether the inclusion and exclusion criteria are met, the
healthy volunteer has to fill in a questionnaire. When the healthy volunteer
meets the inclusion and exclusion criteria, he/she is scheduled for the
PANSS-interview, and the attention and memory tests. Within two weeks after the
PANSS-interview and the tests, the [18F]-FHBG PET scan will be performed. Prior
to the PET scan, blood will be collected for determination of antibodies
against herpes viruses.

The healthy volunteers are exposed to radioactivity with minor to moderate
risk, according to the International Commission on Radiological Protection
(ICRP62). Healthy volunteers do not benefit from the study, but their
participation may lead towards a better understanding on the role of herpes
viruses in schizophrenia (i.e. the etiology of schizophrenia) and may lead
towards improved treatment strategies.