Featured Publications
Imaging synaptic density in the living human brain
Finnema SJ, Nabulsi NB, Eid T, Detyniecki K, Lin SF, Chen MK, Dhaher R, Matuskey D, Baum E, Holden D, Spencer DD, Mercier J, Hannestad J, Huang Y, Carson RE. Imaging synaptic density in the living human brain. Science Translational Medicine 2016, 8: 348ra96. PMID: 27440727, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf6667.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedBrainEpilepsyFemaleHumansMaleMembrane GlycoproteinsMiddle AgedNerve Tissue ProteinsPositron-Emission TomographySynapsesConceptsSynaptic densityPositron emission tomographyPET imagingSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ATemporal lobe epilepsyNumerous brain disordersCentral nervous systemNumber of synapsesJ PET imagingHuman brainHuman PET studiesPredominant neuronsSurgical resectionSynaptic lossLobe epilepsyPsychiatric disordersNervous systemBrain disordersPresynaptic boutonsAlzheimer's diseaseBrain tissueEmission tomographyNeuron contactsTherapeutic monitoringPET studiesConsensus Nomenclature for in vivo Imaging of Reversibly Binding Radioligands
Innis RB, Cunningham VJ, Delforge J, Fujita M, Gjedde A, Gunn RN, Holden J, Houle S, Huang SC, Ichise M, Iida H, Ito H, Kimura Y, Koeppe RA, Knudsen GM, Knuuti J, Lammertsma AA, Laruelle M, Logan J, Maguire RP, Mintun MA, Morris ED, Parsey R, Price JC, Slifstein M, Sossi V, Suhara T, Votaw JR, Wong DF, Carson RE. Consensus Nomenclature for in vivo Imaging of Reversibly Binding Radioligands. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2007, 27: 1533-1539. PMID: 17519979, DOI: 10.1038/sj.jcbfm.9600493.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsConsensusDiagnostic ImagingPositron-Emission TomographyRadioligand AssayRadiopharmaceuticalsTerminology as TopicTomography, Emission-Computed, Single-PhotonFirst-in-Human Evaluation of 18F-SynVesT-1, a Radioligand for PET Imaging of Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A
Naganawa M, Li S, Nabulsi N, Henry S, Zheng MQ, Pracitto R, Cai Z, Gao H, Kapinos M, Labaree D, Matuskey D, Huang Y, Carson RE. First-in-Human Evaluation of 18F-SynVesT-1, a Radioligand for PET Imaging of Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2020, 62: 561-567. PMID: 32859701, PMCID: PMC8049363, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.120.249144.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultFemaleGPI-Linked ProteinsHealthy VolunteersHumansLigandsMalePositron-Emission TomographyPyridinesPyrrolidinonesSafetySynaptic VesiclesConceptsC-UCBSynaptic densityRegional time-activity curvesTime-activity curvesDistribution volumeMetabolite-corrected arterial input functionPET imagingMultilinear analysis 1Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AAntiepileptic drug levetiracetamTotal distribution volumeNondisplaceable distribution volumeCentrum semiovaleBlocking doseHealthy volunteersHuman studiesDrug levetiracetamLassen plotNeuropsychiatric disordersPET radioligandArterial input functionNonhuman primatesLevetiracetamReference regionRadioligandAssessing Synaptic Density in Alzheimer Disease With Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A Positron Emission Tomographic Imaging
Chen MK, Mecca AP, Naganawa M, Finnema SJ, Toyonaga T, Lin SF, Najafzadeh S, Ropchan J, Lu Y, McDonald JW, Michalak HR, Nabulsi NB, Arnsten AFT, Huang Y, Carson RE, van Dyck CH. Assessing Synaptic Density in Alzheimer Disease With Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A Positron Emission Tomographic Imaging. JAMA Neurology 2018, 75: 1215-1224. PMID: 30014145, PMCID: PMC6233853, DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.1836.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositron emission tomographic imagingSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ASynaptic densityAlzheimer's diseaseEmission tomographic imagingHigh-resolution PET scanningPET scanningCognitive impairmentDisease-modifying therapiesDisease-modifying treatmentsNormal participantsCross-sectional studyPittsburgh compound BMajor structural correlateAmnestic mild cognitive impairmentMagnetic resonance imagingMild cognitive impairmentJ PET imagingRestoration of synapsesSpecific bindingNeurologic evaluationSynaptic lossDisease stagePostmortem studiesOutcome measuresReduced synaptic vesicle protein 2A binding in temporal lobe epilepsy: A [11C]UCB‐J positron emission tomography study
Finnema SJ, Toyonaga T, Detyniecki K, Chen M, Dias M, Wang Q, Lin S, Naganawa M, Gallezot J, Lu Y, Nabulsi NB, Huang Y, Spencer DD, Carson RE. Reduced synaptic vesicle protein 2A binding in temporal lobe epilepsy: A [11C]UCB‐J positron emission tomography study. Epilepsia 2020, 61: 2183-2193. PMID: 32944949, DOI: 10.1111/epi.16653.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedial temporal lobe sclerosisTemporal lobe epilepsyTLE subjectsPositron emission tomographyLobe epilepsyJ BPSynaptic vesicle protein 2APartial volume correctionTemporal lobe sclerosisPositron emission tomography studyEmission tomography studiesSeizure onset zonePromising biomarker approachJ bindingPresurgical selectionSclerotic hippocampusHippocampal asymmetryTLE patientsRegional binding patternsControl subjectsCentrum semiovaleContralateral regionsEpilepsy patientsOutcome measuresOnset zoneLower synaptic density is associated with depression severity and network alterations
Holmes SE, Scheinost D, Finnema SJ, Naganawa M, Davis MT, DellaGioia N, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Angarita GA, Pietrzak RH, Duman RS, Sanacora G, Krystal JH, Carson RE, Esterlis I. Lower synaptic density is associated with depression severity and network alterations. Nature Communications 2019, 10: 1529. PMID: 30948709, PMCID: PMC6449365, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09562-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultDepressionDepressive Disorder, MajorFemaleHumansMaleMembrane GlycoproteinsMiddle AgedNerve Tissue ProteinsPositron-Emission TomographyStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticSynapsesConceptsMajor depressive disorderPost-traumatic stress disorderLower synaptic densitySynaptic densityPositron emission tomographyFunctional connectivityNetwork alterationsSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ASymptoms of depressionSynaptic lossDepressive disorderHealthy controlsNerve terminalsDepressive symptomsDepression severityUnmedicated individualsSynaptic connectionsEmission tomographyStress disorderVivo evidenceSymptomsDepressionSeverityDisordersAlterations
2024
A pilot study to evaluate the effect of CT1812 treatment on synaptic density and other biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease
van Dyck C, Mecca A, O’Dell R, Bartlett H, Diepenbrock N, Huang Y, Hamby M, Grundman M, Catalano S, Caggiano A, Carson R. A pilot study to evaluate the effect of CT1812 treatment on synaptic density and other biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy 2024, 16: 20. PMID: 38273408, PMCID: PMC10809445, DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01382-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlzheimer DiseaseAmyloid beta-PeptidesAnimalsBiomarkersFluorodeoxyglucose F18HumansMicePilot ProjectsPositron-Emission TomographyConceptsMild to moderate dementiaPositron emission tomographyAlzheimer's diseaseVolumetric MRIModerate dementiaClinical rating scalesSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ACerebrospinal fluidMouse model of ADPharmacodynamic effectsPlacebo-controlled phase 1 clinical trialBiomarkers of AD pathologyClinical trialsCognitive measuresNominally significant differencesPhase 1 clinical trialModel of ADHippocampal cortexPhase 1/2 studyRating ScaleParallel-group trialSynaptic densityTrial registrationThe clinical trialPlacebo-controlledSigma-2 receptor ligands
2023
Markerless head motion tracking and event-by-event correction in brain PET
Zeng T, Lu Y, Jiang W, Zheng J, Zhang J, Gravel P, Wan Q, Fontaine K, Mulnix T, Jiang Y, Yang Z, Revilla E, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Henry S, Zhang X, Cao T, Hu L, Carson R. Markerless head motion tracking and event-by-event correction in brain PET. Physics In Medicine And Biology 2023, 68: 245019. PMID: 37983915, PMCID: PMC10713921, DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad0e37.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlgorithmsBrainHeadHumansImage Processing, Computer-AssistedMotionMovementPhantoms, ImagingPositron-Emission TomographyConceptsPoint source studyHead motion correctionSmaller residual displacementMotion correctionIterative closest point (ICP) registration algorithmHead motion trackingSpatial resolutionResidual displacementData-driven evaluation methodHigh spatial resolutionLow noiseMotion trackingStereovision cameraMotion tracking deviceStructured lightEvent correctionBrain positron emission tomography (PET) imagingTracking deviceReconstruction resultsHMT methodPoint cloudsNegative biasReference cloudUMTEvaluation methodDose reduction in dynamic synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A PET imaging using artificial neural networks
Li A, Yang B, Naganawa M, Fontaine K, Toyonaga T, Carson R, Tang J. Dose reduction in dynamic synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A PET imaging using artificial neural networks. Physics In Medicine And Biology 2023, 68: 245006. PMID: 37857316, PMCID: PMC10739622, DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad0535.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBrainDrug TaperingGlycoproteinsHumansImage Processing, Computer-AssistedNeural Networks, ComputerPositron-Emission TomographySynaptic VesiclesEvaluation of a First PET Tracer Suitable for Imaging the Sigma‑2 Receptor in the Brain of Nonhuman Primates
Alluri S, Zheng M, Holden D, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Felchner Z, Li S, Ropchan J, Carson R, Jia H, Huang Y. Evaluation of a First PET Tracer Suitable for Imaging the Sigma‑2 Receptor in the Brain of Nonhuman Primates. Molecular Pharmaceutics 2023, 21: 194-200. PMID: 38013422, DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00750.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBrainMacaca mulattaNeoplasmsPositron-Emission TomographyPrimatesRadiopharmaceuticalsConceptsAlzheimer's diseaseLimited brain uptakeNonhuman primate brainCentral nervous systemPotential therapeutic targetPositron emission tomography (PET) imagingEmission Tomography ImagingTransmembrane protein 97Sigma-2 receptorsFirst PET tracerBrain penetrantBrain uptakeTherapeutic targetNervous systemPrimate brainNeurological disordersPET tracersNonhuman primatesTomography imagingProtein 97CancerDiseaseBrainCell typesReceptorsEvaluating infusion methods and simplified quantification of synaptic density in vivo with [11C]UCB-J and [18F]SynVesT-1 PET
Asch R, Naganawa M, Nabulsi N, Huan Y, Esterlis I, Carson R. Evaluating infusion methods and simplified quantification of synaptic density in vivo with [11C]UCB-J and [18F]SynVesT-1 PET. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2023, 43: 2120-2129. PMID: 37669455, PMCID: PMC10925870, DOI: 10.1177/0271678x231200423.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchImaging the brain’s immune response to alcohol with [11C]PBR28 TSPO Positron Emission Tomography
Raval N, Angarita G, Matuskey D, Miller R, Drake L, Kapinos M, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Carson R, O’Malley S, Cosgrove K, Hillmer A. Imaging the brain’s immune response to alcohol with [11C]PBR28 TSPO Positron Emission Tomography. Molecular Psychiatry 2023, 28: 3384-3390. PMID: 37532797, PMCID: PMC10743097, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02198-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBlood Alcohol ContentBrainCytokinesFemaleHumansImmunityMalePositron-Emission TomographyRadionuclide ImagingReceptors, GABAConceptsVolume of distributionBlood alcohol levelsPositron emission tomographyBrain immune responseImmune responseAlcohol challengeEmission tomographyPeak blood alcohol levelsMultilinear analysis 1Peripheral immune functionVivo human evidenceLaboratory alcohol challengeTSPO positron emission tomographyBinge levelsPlasma cytokinesImmune dysfunctionNeuroimmune systemIL-6MCP-1Cytokines TNFAcute effectsScan dayArterial bloodHuman evidenceImmune functionRelationships of in vivo brain norepinephrine transporter and age, BMI, and gender
Koohsari S, Sadabad F, Pittman B, Gallezot J, Carson R, van Dyck C, Li C, Potenza M, Matuskey D. Relationships of in vivo brain norepinephrine transporter and age, BMI, and gender. Synapse 2023, 77: e22279. PMID: 37382240, PMCID: PMC10416616, DOI: 10.1002/syn.22279.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultBody Mass IndexBrainFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMorpholinesNorepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport ProteinsPositron-Emission TomographyReboxetineYoung AdultConceptsBody mass indexMultilinear reference tissue model 2Gender-related differencesBrain norepinephrine transportersNorepinephrine transporterAge-related declineStructural MR scansBrain regionsReference tissue model 2Mass indexRaphe nucleusLocus coeruleusOccipital cortexBMI relationshipHealthy adultsHigh-resolution research tomographAvailable radiotracersHealthy participantsMR scansAgeAnatomic templateReference regionNegative associationNet availabilityPotential agePrincipal component analysis of synaptic density measured with [11C]UCB-J PET in early Alzheimer’s disease
O'Dell R, Higgins-Chen A, Gupta D, Chen M, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Lu Y, Ni G, Chupak A, Zhao W, Salardini E, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Arnsten A, Carson R, van Dyck C, Mecca A. Principal component analysis of synaptic density measured with [11C]UCB-J PET in early Alzheimer’s disease. NeuroImage Clinical 2023, 39: 103457. PMID: 37422964, PMCID: PMC10338149, DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103457.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlzheimer DiseaseAmyloidAmyloidogenic ProteinsBrainCognitive DysfunctionHumansPositron-Emission TomographyPrincipal Component AnalysisConceptsCognitive domainsCognitive performanceSubjects' scoresCortical regionsNeuropsychological batteryEarly Alzheimer's diseaseAD groupBilateral regionsNormal participantsNegative loadingsCognitive impairmentCN participantsAlzheimer's diseaseParticipantsStructural correlatesStrong contributionParticipant characteristicsScoresPositive loadingsData-driven approachTotal variancePrincipal component analysisSpecific spatial patternsPreclinical evaluation of a brain penetrant PARP PET imaging probe in rat glioblastoma and nonhuman primates
Chen B, Ojha D, Toyonaga T, Tong J, Pracitto R, Thomas M, Liu M, Kapinos M, Zhang L, Zheng M, Holden D, Fowles K, Ropchan J, Nabulsi N, De Feyter H, Carson R, Huang Y, Cai Z. Preclinical evaluation of a brain penetrant PARP PET imaging probe in rat glioblastoma and nonhuman primates. European Journal Of Nuclear Medicine And Molecular Imaging 2023, 50: 2081-2099. PMID: 36849748, DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06162-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBrainGlioblastomaPoly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase InhibitorsPositron-Emission TomographyPrimatesRatsTissue DistributionConceptsPositron emission tomographyHealthy nonhuman primatesVolume of distributionDistribution volume ratioBrain kineticsRat glioblastoma modelPreclinical evaluationBrain regionsGlioblastoma modelPET tracersNonhuman primatesTumor-bearing ratsEx vivo biodistributionPET imaging resultsActive clinical trialsTreatment of glioblastomaHigh specific uptakeDynamic PET scansNoninvasive quantificationBrain positron emission tomographyNondisplaceable volumeBrain penetrationLow nonspecific uptakePrognostic informationClinical trialsReductions in synaptic marker SV2A in early-course Schizophrenia
Yoon J, Zhang Z, Mormino E, Davidzon G, Minzenberg M, Ballon J, Kalinowski A, Hardy K, Naganawa M, Carson R, Khalighi M, Park J, Levinson D, Chin F. Reductions in synaptic marker SV2A in early-course Schizophrenia. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2023, 161: 213-217. PMID: 36934603, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.02.026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBrainFrontal LobeHippocampusHumansMembrane GlycoproteinsNerve Tissue ProteinsPositron-Emission TomographySchizophreniaTemporal LobeConceptsChronic patientsSynaptic pruningStage of illnessEarly course patientsEarly course schizophreniaSeverity of delusionsWidespread reductionMajor disease mechanismsSynaptic deficitsSynaptic markersSynaptic eliminationPET scansFormal onsetBrain regionsSignificant positive correlationPatientsSchizophrenia studiesSchizophreniaDisease mechanismsCognitive performanceIllnessEarly phaseSpecific bindingPresent studyPositive correlationSerotonin transporter availability in physically aggressive personality disordered patients: associations with trait and state aggression, and response to fluoxetine
Rosell D, Slifstein M, Thompson J, Xu X, Perez-Rodriguez M, McClure M, Hazlett E, New A, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Carson R, Siever L, Abi-Dargham A, Koenigsberg H. Serotonin transporter availability in physically aggressive personality disordered patients: associations with trait and state aggression, and response to fluoxetine. Psychopharmacology 2023, 240: 361-371. PMID: 36640190, DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06306-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAggressionFluoxetineHumansPersonalityPersonality DisordersPositron-Emission TomographySerotonin Plasma Membrane Transport ProteinsConceptsAnterior cingulate cortexAnti-aggressive effectsIED patientsPositron emission tomographyVentral striatumTransporter availabilityChildhood traumaSerotonin transporter availabilityRational treatment selectionIntermittent explosive disorderFluoxetine 20Fluoxetine treatmentSerotonergic abnormalitiesHealthy comparison participantsTreatment selectionRisk individualsObjectivesThe aimPatientsCingulate cortexExplosive disorderEmission tomographyImpulsive aggressionNovel therapeuticsFluoxetineNeuroanatomical basis
2022
Noninvasive Quantitative PET Imaging in Humans of the Pancreatic Beta-Cell Mass Biomarkers VMAT2 and Dopamine D2/D3 Receptors In Vivo
Bini J, Carson R, Cline G. Noninvasive Quantitative PET Imaging in Humans of the Pancreatic Beta-Cell Mass Biomarkers VMAT2 and Dopamine D2/D3 Receptors In Vivo. Methods In Molecular Biology 2022, 2592: 61-74. PMID: 36507985, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2807-2_4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2DopamineHumansPositron-Emission TomographyReceptors, Dopamine D2Receptors, Dopamine D3TetrabenazineVesicular Monoamine Transport ProteinsConceptsPositron emission tomographyBeta-cell massFunctional beta-cell massDopamine D2/D3 receptorsD2/D3 receptorsBeta-cell lossType 2 diabetesEfficacy of therapeuticsQuantitative positron emission tomographyInsulin secretionDopamine receptorsD3 receptorsGlucose regulationPET radioligandEmission tomographyType 1Clinical usePET imagingReceptorsQuantitative PET imagingVMAT2Cellular transportersImagingVivoQuantitative imagingDifferences in Quantification of the Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Across Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder
Holmes S, Asch R, Davis M, DellaGioia N, Pashankar N, Gallezot J, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Sanacora G, Carson R, Blumberg H, Esterlis I. Differences in Quantification of the Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 Across Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. Biological Psychiatry 2022, 93: 1099-1107. PMID: 36764853, PMCID: PMC10164841, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.10.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBipolar DisorderDepressive Disorder, MajorHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingPositron-Emission TomographyPrefrontal CortexReceptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5ConceptsMajor depressive disorderMetabotropic glutamate receptor 5Glutamate receptor 5MGluR5 availabilityBipolar disorderPositron emission tomographyHC groupDepressive disorderReceptor 5Emission tomographyHealthy control individualsPossible treatment targetsGlutamate transmissionBD depressionTreatment strategiesBD groupMGluR5Depressive symptomsNovel treatmentsCognitive alterationsTreatment targetsSynaptic plasticityControl individualsAccurate diagnosisSignificant negative correlationImaging of Synaptic Density in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Carson RE, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Koohsari S, Yang Y, Chen MK, Matuskey D, Finnema SJ. Imaging of Synaptic Density in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2022, 63: 60s-67s. PMID: 35649655, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.121.263201.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlzheimer DiseaseAnimalsHumansMembrane GlycoproteinsMiceNerve Tissue ProteinsPositron-Emission TomographyRadiopharmaceuticalsRatsConceptsSynaptic densityAlzheimer's diseaseNeurodegenerative disordersNeurodegenerative diseasesSynaptic vesicle protein 2APotential reference regionsSynaptic density lossLewy body dementiaProgressive supranuclear palsyDisease-modifying therapiesSpecific brain proteinsLarge patient cohortAntiepileptic drug levetiracetamPET imaging resultsMultiple neurodegenerative disordersSynaptic lossSupranuclear palsyCorticobasal degenerationNeuropathologic diseasePatient cohortRat modelClinical valueF-FDGParkinson's diseaseEfficacy assessment