The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) is distinct from central benzodiazepine receptors associated with GABAA receptors and has been associated with immune function. PBR is expressed in macrophages, therefore, they may be a clinically useful marker to detect inflammation. Our preliminary autoradiographic data demonstrate specific PBR binding in carotid atherosclerosis samples. Though PBR has been imaged in vivo with positron emission tomography (PET) using [(11)C]1-(2-chlorophenyl-N-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinoline carboxamide (PK11195), we developed a new ligand, [(11)C]N-acetyl-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-phenoxy-5-pyridinamine (PBR28) that shows greater specific signal than [(11)C]PK11195 in non-human primates.