A novel PET imaging technique, SV2A PET, has been developed to quantify synaptic density in the spinal cord, offering a new avenue for assessing multiple sclerosis (MS). This research, presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging's 2026 Annual Meeting, provides insights into the synaptic loss associated with MS, a condition affecting millions globally. The study involved 18F-SynVesT-1 PET scans on a mouse model of MS and 11C-UCB-J PET imaging on six MS patients. Results indicated a 16.4% reduction in synaptic binding in MS patients compared to healthy controls, with significant reductions noted in spinal cord regions. Lead researcher Pou Hong Justin Chia emphasized that this work represents a critical advance in linking preclinical findings to human studies, suggesting that SV2A PET could be a valuable tool for monitoring synaptic pathology. While currently used in clinical trials, further validation in larger studies is needed before this technique becomes part of routine clinical care.