The Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (CMIT), a subsidiary of BRF, proudly announces its new collaboration with the Brain Health Alliance (BHA) as an imaging site in the nationwide EPSMS Study—a groundbreaking clinical trial utilizing whole-body PET imaging to study multiple sclerosis (MS).
The EPSMS Study (Entire-body PET Scans for Multiple Sclerosis) is a novel research initiative exploring how advanced molecular imaging can provide new insights into the demyelination and remyelination processes in MS patients. CMIT is now the second imaging site approved to begin scanning participants, joining Northern California PET Imaging Center (NCPIC) in Sacramento, California.
“This collaboration places Shreveport at the forefront of innovative MS research,” said Stephen Lokitz, Ph.D., Executive Director of CMIT. “We are excited to contribute to a study that may redefine how we visualize and manage MS in the future.”
A New Frontier in MS Research
Unlike traditional MRI, this clinical trial employs FDA-approved PET radiopharmaceuticals—originally developed and indicated for Alzheimer’s disease—that bind to myelin, enabling imaging of both central and peripheral nervous systems. The use of entire-body PET scanners marks a shift in approach, aiming to visualize not just the brain and spinal cord but also peripheral nerves, offering a more comprehensive picture of MS pathology.
“This study is one of the first of its kind to attempt whole-body imaging of MS in a clinical setting,” said Dr. Carl Taswell, Principal Investigator and Founder of Brain Health Alliance. “We believe this could lead to more precise assessments of disease activity and treatment response.”
Who Can Participate?
Eligible participants include adults aged 25–55, with or without a diagnosis of MS. Those diagnosed must meet established medical criteria and be referred by a neurologist. Participants must be physically able to lie still during the 30-minute PET scan and have a designated partner to accompany them.
Key inclusion criteria:
- Diagnosed MS patients or healthy controls aged 25–55
- Must have a primary care or specialty care physician
- Must provide informed consent and medical contact information
Exclusion criteria include significant unrelated health conditions, recent medical procedures, or contraindications for PET scanning.
How to Enroll
Interested individuals can learn more and apply to participate by visiting:
This website offers detailed study information, eligibility requirements, and online enrollment forms.
About CMIT
The Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (CMIT) is a comprehensive molecular imaging, therapy and research center housing clinical and pre-clinical PET/CT imaging, research laboratories, and radiopharmaceutical manufacturing based in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
About Brain Health Alliance
Brain Health Alliance (BHA) is a nonprofit consortium focused on advancing neuroimaging research and computational informatics in neuroscience. Through collaborative studies and software innovation, BHA supports translational research that bridges clinical practice and academic science. For more, visit brainhealthalliance.net.
