Jason Cai, PhD
Associate Professor of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging and of PharmacologyDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Pharmacology
Secondary
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Associate Professor of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging and of Pharmacology
Biography
Dr. Jason Cai is an Associate Professor of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging and of Pharmacology, with expertise in Medicinal Chemistry and Radiopharmaceutical Sciences. After studying at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Dr. Cai joined Carolyn Anderson’s lab at the University of Pittsburgh as a postdoctoral associate, focusing on radiopharmaceutical development and preclinical PET imaging in oncology. In 2015, he joint Yale PET Center to expand his research portfolio to brain PET imaging. His research group is currently focusing on the development and translation of novel PET imaging probes for drug PK/PD study and the investigation of CNS disorders and Oncology. He is the recipient of the NIH Career Development Award (K01) in 2017, SNMMI Berson-Yalow Award in 2018, and Archer Foundation Research Scholar Award in 2019.
Last Updated on July 29, 2023.
Appointments
Radiology & Biomedical Imaging
Associate Professor on TermPrimaryPharmacology
Associate Professor on TermSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Bioimaging Sciences
- Center for Brain & Mind Health
- DNA Damage and Genome Integrity
- Mental Health PET Radioligand Development (MHPRD) Program
- Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
- MR Core
- PET Core
- Pharmacology
- Radiology & Biomedical Imaging
- Wu Tsai Institute
- Yale Biomedical Imaging Institute
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Center for Immuno-Oncology
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral/Research Associate
- University of Pittsburgh (2015)
- PhD
- University of Missouri-Columbia, Chemistry (2011)
Research
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Overview
PET imaging; Brain imaging; Cancer diagnosis and prognosis; Biomarker and drug discovery and development
Medical Research Interests
Alzheimer Disease; Biomarkers; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Development; Drug Discovery; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacology; Positron-Emission Tomography
Public Health Interests
Aging; Biomarkers
ORCID
0000-0002-2005-6760
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Jason Cai's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Jason Cai's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Jason Cai is interested in exploring.
Richard Carson, PhD
Takuya Toyonaga, MD, PhD
Yiyun Huang, PhD
Nabeel Nabulsi, PhD
David Matuskey, MD
Mika Naganawa, PhD
17Publications
360Citations
Positron-Emission Tomography
Alzheimer Disease
Biomarkers
Publications
2026
Noninvasive Quantification of [18F]SynVesT-2 PET in Healthy Human Brains Using Simplified Reference Tissue Models
Hernández-Martín N, Balayeva T, Naganawa M, Asch R, Huang Y, Carson R, Gallezot J, Cai Z. Noninvasive Quantification of [18F]SynVesT-2 PET in Healthy Human Brains Using Simplified Reference Tissue Models. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2026, 67: 796-802. PMID: 41679926, PMCID: PMC13138105, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.125.271207.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThis study investigates simplified models for measuring brain synaptic density using SV2A PET scans, showing a 40-minute scan can reliably replace invasive methods, improving clinical feasibility.
2025
In Vivo Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Presynaptic Density Reveals Stress-Associated Synaptic Deficits Related to Behavioral and Molecular Alterations in Rats
Asch R, Martin N, Garcia-Milian R, Fowles K, DiLeone R, Cai Z, Liston C, Esterlis I. In Vivo Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Presynaptic Density Reveals Stress-Associated Synaptic Deficits Related to Behavioral and Molecular Alterations in Rats. Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience And Neuroimaging 2025, 11: 463-475. PMID: 41038318, PMCID: PMC12614775, DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2025.09.021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNovel object recognitionPrefrontal cortexPositron emission tomographySucrose preferenceSynaptic densityChronic stressExposed to chronic unpredictable stressIn vivo PET imagingRodent models of chronic stressModel of chronic stressFemale Long-Evans ratsChronic unpredictable stressIn vivo positron emission tomographyStress-related pathologiesLong-Evans ratsRodent modelsRats relative to controlsIn vivo quantificationRelative to controlsUnpredictable stressBehavioral phenotypesSynaptic deficitsHippocampal proteinsSynaptic density changesSynaptic vesicle protein 2A[18F]SynVesT-1 PET Detects SV2A Changes in the Spinal Cord and Brain of Rats with Spinal Cord Injury
Chen B, Zheng C, Balayeva T, Toyonaga T, Wang X, Tong J, Mennie W, Mihailovic J, Coman D, Hyder F, Strittmatter S, Carson R, Huang Y, Cai Z. [18F]SynVesT-1 PET Detects SV2A Changes in the Spinal Cord and Brain of Rats with Spinal Cord Injury. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2025, 66: 1440-1448. PMID: 40675757, PMCID: PMC12410297, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.124.269291.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSpinal cord injuryDistribution volume ratioDiffusion tensor imagingSpinal cordRat modelDay 1SUV ratioImmunohistochemical stainingSham controlsDay 9PET imagingRat model of spinal cord injuryContusion SCI rat modelSpinal cord injury ratsModel of spinal cord injuryCord injuryWestern blottingModerate contusion injuryBrain of ratsDiffusion tensor imaging analysisPost-mortem spinal cordTraumatic spinal cord injurySCI rat modelSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ACervical cordEvaluation of radio-thin-layer chromatography as an alternative to radio-HPLC for [18F]SynVesT-1 metabolism analysis in rats
Balayeva T, Asch R, Tan P, Mennie W, Tong J, Chen B, Zhuang Z, Zheng C, Zheng M, Toyonaga T, Cai Z. Evaluation of radio-thin-layer chromatography as an alternative to radio-HPLC for [18F]SynVesT-1 metabolism analysis in rats. Nuclear Medicine And Biology 2025, 146: 109029. PMID: 40383020, PMCID: PMC12228526, DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2025.109029.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositron emission tomographyParent fractionSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ANeuropsychiatric disordersBrain regionsRadiometabolite analysisPET imaging dataLongitudinal studyRadiometabolitesRadio-HPLCArterial blood samplesEmission tomographyBrainMetabolic correctionIntravenous infusionPlasma concentrationsPET quantificationSV2AKinetic modelBlood samplesRadio-high-performance liquid chromatographyPost-injectionRatsRadio-HPLC methodRadio thin layer chromatographyCurrent Advances in PARP1‐Targeted Theranostics
Tong J, Chen B, Volpi T, Li Y, Ellison P, Cai Z. Current Advances in PARP1‐Targeted Theranostics. Journal Of Labelled Compounds And Radiopharmaceuticals 2025, 68: e4135. PMID: 39995212, DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.4135.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPoly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1Blood-brain barrierCentral nervous systemBlood-tumor barrierPotential clinical useBRCA mutationsHomologous recombination repair pathwayPARP inhibitorsPharmacodynamic evaluationPatient stratificationPersonalized oncologyPharmacological characteristicsClinical useBrain tumorsBrain barrierDiagnostic imagingPET imagingCancerNervous systemTherapeutic interventionsBrain cancerPathophysiological conditionsTreatment assessmentPARPiNeurological disorders
2024
Repetitive Mild Closed-Head Injury Induced Synapse Loss and Increased Local BOLD-fMRI Signal Homogeneity
Markicevic M, Mandino F, Toyonaga T, Cai Z, Fesharaki-Zadeh A, Shen X, Strittmatter S, Lake E. Repetitive Mild Closed-Head Injury Induced Synapse Loss and Increased Local BOLD-fMRI Signal Homogeneity. Journal Of Neurotrauma 2024, 41: 2528-2544. PMID: 39096127, PMCID: PMC11698675, DOI: 10.1089/neu.2024.0095.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsChronic variable stressRegional homogeneityFunctional brain abnormalitiesSynapse densityMild closed-head injuryClosed-head injuryTraumatic brain injuryTreat traumatic brain injuryNeurobiological alterationsMild head injuryVariable stressBrain abnormalitiesPositron emission tomographyMultimodal studiesSynaptic densityMagnetic resonance imagingBrain imagingBrain injuryInduce synapse lossFMRIInjured miceMouse modelEmission tomographyResonance imagingCompensatory mechanismsNoninvasive quantification of [18F]SynVesT-1 binding using simplified reference tissue model 2
Naganawa M, Gallezot J, Li S, Nabulsi N, Henry S, Cai Z, Matuskey D, Huang Y, Carson R. Noninvasive quantification of [18F]SynVesT-1 binding using simplified reference tissue model 2. European Journal Of Nuclear Medicine And Molecular Imaging 2024, 52: 113-121. PMID: 39155309, DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06885-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsPositron emission tomographyCentrum semiovaleReference regionPositron emission tomography scanTest-retest variabilityTest-retest reproducibilitySynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AOne-tissue compartmentArterial blood samplesRetest scansGold standardBrain uptakeEmission tomographyBlood samplesCerebellumNoninvasive quantificationSRTM2ConclusionOur findingsPopulation averageHealthy participantsMetabolite analysisScan timeBPNDSemiovaleFirst-in-Human Study of 18F-SynVesT-2: An SV2A PET Imaging Probe with Fast Brain Kinetics and High Specific Binding
Drake L, Wu Y, Naganawa M, Asch R, Zheng C, Najafzadeh S, Pracitto R, Lindemann M, Li S, Ropchan J, Labaree D, Emery P, Dias M, Henry S, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Hillmer A, Gallezot J, Carson R, Cai Z, Huang Y. First-in-Human Study of 18F-SynVesT-2: An SV2A PET Imaging Probe with Fast Brain Kinetics and High Specific Binding. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2024, 65: jnumed.123.266470. PMID: 38360052, PMCID: PMC10924160, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.266470.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsFirst-in-human studyPlasma free fractionTime-activity curvesCentrum semiovaleNonhuman primate's resultsFirst-in-humanFree fractionNondisplaceable binding potentialRegional time-activity curvesLow nonspecific uptakeRegional distribution volumesHigh-resolution research tomograph scannerTest-retest reproducibilityCerebral blood flowSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AHealthy volunteersArterial input functionNonspecific uptakePET imaging probeDistribution volumeSynapse densityIndividual MR imagesHighest specific bindingMR imagingPET imaging
2023
Neuronal transcriptome, tau and synapse loss in Alzheimer’s knock-in mice require prion protein
Stoner A, Fu L, Nicholson L, Zheng C, Toyonaga T, Spurrier J, Laird W, Cai Z, Strittmatter S. Neuronal transcriptome, tau and synapse loss in Alzheimer’s knock-in mice require prion protein. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy 2023, 15: 201. PMID: 37968719, PMCID: PMC10647125, DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01345-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSynapse lossDKI miceTau accumulationBrain immune activationNeural network dysfunctionPhospho-tau accumulationAccumulation of tauNeuronal genesInflammatory markersAD miceAβ levelsPrion proteinDystrophic neuritesImmune activationTau pathologyNeuronal gene expressionAmyloid-β OligomersGliotic reactionNetwork dysfunctionBehavioral deficitsSynaptic failureAD modelMemory impairmentAlzheimer's diseaseFunction of ageDecreased Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A Binding in the Human Postmortem Essential Tremor Cerebellum: Evidence of Reduction in Synaptic Density
Yang Y, Zheng C, Chen B, Hernandez N, Faust P, Cai Z, Louis E, Matuskey D. Decreased Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A Binding in the Human Postmortem Essential Tremor Cerebellum: Evidence of Reduction in Synaptic Density. The Cerebellum 2023, 23: 1053-1060. PMID: 37783917, DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01611-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AAge-matched controlsSynaptic densityEssential tremorDentate nucleusCerebellar cortexET casesPilot studyLower synaptic densityPrevalent neurological diseaseNumerous degenerative changesNeuropathological alterationsMild atrophyNeuropathological studiesSynaptic markersMethodsThe current studyPostmortem studiesDegenerative changesNeuroimaging signaturesET patientsNeurological diseasesCerebellumEvidence of reductionCortexAtrophy
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Honors
honor Archer Foundation Research Award
01/01/2019National AwardArcher FoundationDetailsUnited Stateshonor Berson-Yalow Award
06/24/2018International AwardSNMMIDetailsUnited Stateshonor Young Investigator Award
07/16/2016International AwardFunctional NeuroReceptor MappingDetailsUnited States
News & Links
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Media
- Zheng, C. et al. A metabolically stable PET probe for imaging the synaptic vesicle protein 2A: Synthesis and preclinical characterization of [18F]SDM-16.
- The in vivo quantification of synaptic density by SV2A PET in rodent brains opens an avenue to measure the synaptic dynamics in the context of other proteinopathies and circuit changes longitudinally for mechanistical studies and to monitor therapeutical interventions preclinically.
News
- June 30, 2026
Women’s Health Research at Yale and SWHR’s Symposium Highlights the Power of Collaboration to Advance Women’s Health Research
- November 12, 2025
YSM Researchers Recognized with Yale Faculty Innovation Awards
- November 12, 2025Source: Yale Ventures
From Lab to Launch: Eleven Faculty Innovators Recognized for Turning Research into Real-World Impact
- September 12, 2025Source: Journal of Nuclear Medicine / SNMMI
Novel PET Tracer Detects Synaptic Changes in Spinal Cord and Brain After Spinal Cord Injury
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PET Core
801 Howard Ave
New Haven, CT 06519
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Laboratory for Medicine and Pediatrics (LMP)
Academic Office
15 York Street, Rm LMP89D
New Haven, CT 06510