The Role of the Vagus Nerve in Tumor-to-Brain Communication in Lung Cancer Patients

Does the Vagus Nerve Play a Role in Tumor-to-Brain Communication? a Preliminary Study in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Lung Cancer

the aim of this study is to measure brain metabolism in patients with lung cancer.FDG uptake in the brain in patients with malignant tumors will be compared to the amount of tracer activity found in patients who have benign pulmonary process. if differences between the brain uptake of FDG in the two groups will be found, further assessment will be performed in order to evaluate if such differences could be attributed and specifically localized to the brain regions innervated by the vagus

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with SPN referred for routine whole body FDG-PET imaging
• patients with NSCLC and patients with no evidence of lung cancer on further follow up

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients with a clinical history of vagotomy, abdominal surgery. brain tumor, brain trauma or CVA. or those with a systemic inflammatory disease