2021
A metabolically stable PET tracer for imaging synaptic vesicle protein 2A: synthesis and preclinical characterization of [18F]SDM-16
Zheng C, Holden D, Zheng MQ, Pracitto R, Wilcox KC, Lindemann M, Felchner Z, Zhang L, Tong J, Fowles K, Finnema SJ, Nabulsi N, Carson RE, Huang Y, Cai Z. A metabolically stable PET tracer for imaging synaptic vesicle protein 2A: synthesis and preclinical characterization of [18F]SDM-16. European Journal Of Nuclear Medicine And Molecular Imaging 2021, 49: 1482-1496. PMID: 34761284, PMCID: PMC8940841, DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05597-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTest-retest variabilityVolume of distributionCentral nervous systemTime-activity curvesPET tracersCentrum semiovaleSynaptic vesicle protein 2AAbsolute test-retest variabilityWhole central nervous systemNonhuman primate brainPlasma free fractionBrain PET scansHigh specific bindingSpecific bindingNondisplaceable volumePlasma input functionNHP brainOne-tissue compartment modelArterial bloodRegional time-activity curvesPET scansNervous systemPrimate brainMonkey brainPreclinical characterizationPET Imaging Estimates of Regional Acetylcholine Concentration Variation in Living Human Brain
Smart K, Naganawa M, Baldassarri SR, Nabulsi N, Ropchan J, Najafzadeh S, Gao H, Navarro A, Barth V, Esterlis I, Cosgrove KP, Huang Y, Carson RE, Hillmer AT. PET Imaging Estimates of Regional Acetylcholine Concentration Variation in Living Human Brain. Cerebral Cortex 2021, 31: 2787-2798. PMID: 33442731, PMCID: PMC8355478, DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhaa387.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsACh concentrationHuman volunteersHigh ACh concentrationsMuscarinic antagonist scopolamineHealthy human volunteersHuman brainCholinergic receptorsNicotine challengeAntagonist scopolaminePreclinical studiesStriatal regionsPET scansEndogenous neurotransmittersNeuropsychiatric diseasesNonhuman primatesWhole-brain imagesDrug occupancyNicotinic ligandsClinical populationsBrainAcetylcholineDistinct functional rolesStriatumVolunteersFunctional roleAssessment of test-retest reproducibility of [18F]SynVesT-1, a novel radiotracer for PET imaging of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A
Li S, Naganawa M, Pracitto R, Najafzadeh S, Holden D, Henry S, Matuskey D, Emery PR, Cai Z, Ropchan J, Nabulsi N, Carson RE, Huang Y. Assessment of test-retest reproducibility of [18F]SynVesT-1, a novel radiotracer for PET imaging of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A. European Journal Of Nuclear Medicine And Molecular Imaging 2021, 48: 1327-1338. PMID: 33416954, DOI: 10.1007/s00259-020-05149-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTest-retest reproducibilityTime-activity curvesBPND valuesNonhuman primatesAbsolute test-retest variabilitySynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AHigh brain uptakeNon-displaceable binding potentialExcellent test-retest reproducibilityGray matter areasHealthy human subjectsHigh uptakeTest-retest variabilityDynamic PET scanningTest-retest reliabilityBrain uptakeDistribution volume valuesCentrum semiovaleUrinary bladderOne-tissue compartment modelMaximum SUVPET scanningPET scansTracer uptakeBrain disorders
2020
Longitudinal imaging of metabotropic glutamate 5 receptors during early and extended alcohol abstinence
Hillmer AT, Angarita GA, Esterlis I, Anderson JM, Nabulsi N, Lim K, Ropchan J, Carson RE, Krystal JH, Malley S, Cosgrove KP. Longitudinal imaging of metabotropic glutamate 5 receptors during early and extended alcohol abstinence. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020, 46: 380-385. PMID: 32919411, PMCID: PMC7852514, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00856-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMetabotropic glutamate 5 receptorsSmoking statusAlcohol abstinenceEarly abstinenceMGlu5 receptor negative allosteric modulatorReceptor negative allosteric modulatorChronic alcohol useCortical brain regionsAlcohol use disorderEmission Tomography ImagingPositron emission tomography (PET) imagingNegative allosteric modulatorsDSM-5 criteriaCue-induced reinstatementHealthy controlsPreclinical literatureGlutamate systemPreclinical modelsHuman evidenceReceptor drugsPET scansUse disordersHuman studiesReceptor availabilityStudy durationBinding of the synaptic vesicle radiotracer [11C]UCB-J is unchanged during functional brain activation using a visual stimulation task
Smart K, Liu H, Matuskey D, Chen MK, Torres K, Nabulsi N, Labaree D, Ropchan J, Hillmer AT, Huang Y, Carson RE. Binding of the synaptic vesicle radiotracer [11C]UCB-J is unchanged during functional brain activation using a visual stimulation task. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2020, 41: 1067-1079. PMID: 32757741, PMCID: PMC8054713, DOI: 10.1177/0271678x20946198.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVisual cortexVisual stimulationPositron emission tomography radioligandBrain activationBlood flow increasesVolume of distributionPrimary visual cortexCheckerboard visual stimulationFunctional brain activationFunctional magnetic resonanceReference tissue modelFMRI BOLD responsesSynaptic densityVisual stimulation taskOne-tissue compartment modelHealthy volunteersNeuronal firingTomography radioligandPET scansTissue influxVivo measuresRobust increaseBOLD responseTracer influxStimulation taskHuman adult and adolescent biodistribution and dosimetry of the synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A radioligand 11C-UCB-J
Bini J, Holden D, Fontaine K, Mulnix T, Lu Y, Matuskey D, Ropchan J, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Carson RE. Human adult and adolescent biodistribution and dosimetry of the synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A radioligand 11C-UCB-J. EJNMMI Research 2020, 10: 83. PMID: 32666239, PMCID: PMC7359974, DOI: 10.1186/s13550-020-00670-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDose-limiting organUrinary bladderTime-activity curvesSynaptic densityOLINDA/EXM 1.0 softwareWhole-body PET scansWhole-body scanHuman adultsDose limitTotal radiation doseGastrointestinal tractPET scansHealthy adultsInjected activityRegion of interestLarge intestineNeuropsychiatric disordersEffective doseRelevant disordersBladderLiverRadiation doseAdultsMBqHigh uptakeTobacco Smoking in People Is Not Associated with Altered 18-kDa Translocator Protein Levels: A PET Study
Hillmer AT, Matuskey D, Huang Y, Nabulsi N, Ropchan J, Carson RE, O'Malley SS, Cosgrove KP. Tobacco Smoking in People Is Not Associated with Altered 18-kDa Translocator Protein Levels: A PET Study. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2020, 61: 1200-1204. PMID: 32005773, PMCID: PMC7413239, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.119.237735.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTobacco smokingTobacco smokersTSPO levelsImmune systemPET studiesBrain immune systemBrain TSPO levelsPrimary immunocompetent cellsPrevious PET studiesTranslocator proteinTranslocator protein (TSPO) levelsInflammatory effectsImmunocompetent cellsArterial bloodTobacco smokePET scansNonsmokersSmokersRadiotracer concentrationMedium effect sizeSmokingPET imagingBrainProtein levelsSignificant differences
2019
Kappa-opioid receptors, dynorphin, and cocaine addiction: a positron emission tomography study
Martinez D, Slifstein M, Matuskey D, Nabulsi N, Zheng MQ, Lin SF, Ropchan J, Urban N, Grassetti A, Chang D, Salling M, Foltin R, Carson RE, Huang Y. Kappa-opioid receptors, dynorphin, and cocaine addiction: a positron emission tomography study. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019, 44: 1720-1727. PMID: 31026862, PMCID: PMC6785004, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0398-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCocaine use disorderStress-induced relapsePositron emission tomographyCocaine bingeKappa-opioid receptor/dynorphin systemKOR selective agonistPositron emission tomography studyKappa-opioid receptorsCold pressor testCocaine self-administration sessionsEmission tomography studiesSelf-administration sessionsStress-induced cocaineEndogenous dynorphinDynorphin systemHealthy controlsPressor testSelective agonistPET scansAnimal studiesKOR bindingReceptor availabilitySignificant associationBrain regionsEmission tomographySocial status and demographic effects of the kappa opioid receptor: a PET imaging study with a novel agonist radiotracer in healthy volunteers
Matuskey D, Dias M, Naganawa M, Pittman B, Henry S, Li S, Gao H, Ropchan J, Nabulsi N, Carson RE, Huang Y. Social status and demographic effects of the kappa opioid receptor: a PET imaging study with a novel agonist radiotracer in healthy volunteers. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019, 44: 1714-1719. PMID: 30928993, PMCID: PMC6785144, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0379-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexKappa-opioid receptorsPositron emission tomographyAgonist radiotracerKOR systemOpioid receptorsTime-activity curvesBarratt Simplified MeasureAnterior cingulate cortexArterial blood samplingMultilinear analysis-1 (MA1) methodPET imaging studiesKOR levelsMass indexPreclinical modelsFrontal cortexHealthy volunteersRegional time-activity curvesBlood samplingPET scansCingulate cortexImaging studiesEmission tomographyVentral striatumRegional volumesEvaluation of 11C-LSN3172176 as a Novel PET Tracer for Imaging M1 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Nonhuman Primates
Nabulsi NB, Holden D, Zheng MQ, Bois F, Lin SF, Najafzadeh S, Gao H, Ropchan J, Lara-Jaime T, Labaree D, Shirali A, Slieker L, Jesudason C, Barth V, Navarro A, Kant N, Carson RE, Huang Y. Evaluation of 11C-LSN3172176 as a Novel PET Tracer for Imaging M1 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Nonhuman Primates. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2019, 60: 1147-1153. PMID: 30733324, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.118.222034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMuscarinic acetylcholine receptorsAcetylcholine receptorsNonhuman primatesM1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptorBrain time-activity curvesRich brain regionsArterial blood samplingNovel PET tracersSuitable reference regionRegional distribution volumesReference regionDevelopment of drugsBrain uptakeGlobus pallidusDistribution volume valuesNucleus accumbensBlood samplingPET scansTime-activity curvesCognitive impairmentAlzheimer's diseaseBrain regionsDistribution volumeSelective radiotracerRhesus monkeys
2018
PET imaging reveals lower kappa opioid receptor availability in alcoholics but no effect of age
Vijay A, Cavallo D, Goldberg A, de Laat B, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Krishnan-Sarin S, Morris ED. PET imaging reveals lower kappa opioid receptor availability in alcoholics but no effect of age. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018, 43: 2539-2547. PMID: 30188515, PMCID: PMC6224533, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0199-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHealthy control cohortVolume of distributionOpioid receptor systemKappa-opioid receptorsOpioid receptorsDelta opioid receptor systemReceptor systemMu-opioid receptor systemOpioid receptor availabilityPotential pharmacological targetEffect of ageAge-related declineControl cohortPET scansAntagonist tracersReceptor availabilityMultivariate analysisPharmacological targetsPET imagingReceptorsAgePartial volume correctionCohortVT valuesPresent study
2017
The Effect of Treatment with Guanfacine, an Alpha2 Adrenergic Agonist, on Dopaminergic Tone in Tobacco Smokers: An [11C]FLB457 PET Study
Sandiego CM, Matuskey D, Lavery M, McGovern E, Huang Y, Nabulsi N, Ropchan J, Picciotto MR, Morris ED, McKee SA, Cosgrove KP. The Effect of Treatment with Guanfacine, an Alpha2 Adrenergic Agonist, on Dopaminergic Tone in Tobacco Smokers: An [11C]FLB457 PET Study. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017, 43: 1052-1058. PMID: 28944773, PMCID: PMC5854798, DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.223.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTobacco smokersGuanfacine treatmentPositron emission tomographyTobacco smokingDA releaseDopaminergic toneDopamine releaseAmphetamine-induced DA releaseTobacco smoking cessationCortical dopamine releaseExtrastriatal brain regionsAlpha2-adrenergic agonistExtrastriatal dopamine releaseEffect of treatmentBaseline BPNDSmoking cessationReceptor radiotracerAdrenergic agonistsPET scansAnimal modelsBrain regionsEmission tomographyPET studiesDopamine signalingSmokers
2016
PET imaging reveals sex differences in kappa opioid receptor availability in humans, in vivo.
Vijay A, Wang S, Worhunsky P, Zheng MQ, Nabulsi N, Ropchan J, Krishnan-Sarin S, Huang Y, Morris ED. PET imaging reveals sex differences in kappa opioid receptor availability in humans, in vivo. American Journal Of Nuclear Medicine And Molecular Imaging 2016, 6: 205-14. PMID: 27648372, PMCID: PMC5004062.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchKappa-opioid receptorsOpioid receptorsSex differencesOpioid receptor availabilityTreatment of painHealthy control menDelta-opioid receptorsVolume of distributionEfficacy of treatmentKappa opioid analgesicsMultiple brain regionsOpioid analgesicsKOR systemControl menAntagonist tracersPET scansReceptor availabilityVoxel levelPharmacological targetsBrain regionsPET imagingAddiction withdrawalReceptorsTreatmentPartial volume correction
2015
Imaging robust microglial activation after lipopolysaccharide administration in humans with PET
Sandiego CM, Gallezot JD, Pittman B, Nabulsi N, Lim K, Lin SF, Matuskey D, Lee JY, O’Connor K, Huang Y, Carson RE, Hannestad J, Cosgrove KP. Imaging robust microglial activation after lipopolysaccharide administration in humans with PET. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2015, 112: 12468-12473. PMID: 26385967, PMCID: PMC4603509, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1511003112.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMicroglial activationBrain microglial activationLPS administrationInflammatory cytokinesLPS challengeRobust microglial activationSystemic LPS challengeActivation of microgliaInnate immune cellsVital sign changesHealthy male subjectsEscherichia coli lipopolysaccharidePositron emission tomography (PET) radiotracerNeuroinflammatory responseSystemic inflammationLipopolysaccharide administrationAntiinflammatory effectsBlood levelsImmune cellsNew medicationsSystemic administrationColi lipopolysaccharidePET scansPsychiatric diseasesMale subjectsTest–Retest Reproducibility of Binding Parameters in Humans with 11C-LY2795050, an Antagonist PET Radiotracer for the κ Opioid Receptor
Naganawa M, Zheng MQ, Henry S, Nabulsi N, Lin SF, Ropchan J, Labaree D, Najafzadeh S, Kapinos M, Tauscher J, Neumeister A, Carson RE, Huang Y. Test–Retest Reproducibility of Binding Parameters in Humans with 11C-LY2795050, an Antagonist PET Radiotracer for the κ Opioid Receptor. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2015, 56: 243-248. PMID: 25593119, PMCID: PMC4322754, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.114.147975.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTest-retest variabilityOpioid receptorsOutcome measuresAbsolute test-retest variabilityMultilinear analysis 1Healthy human subjectsSuitable reference regionTest-retest reproducibilityIntraclass correlation coefficientAntagonist radiotracersHealthy subjectsLY2795050PET scansBrain regionsDistribution volumePET radioligandTest-retest performancePET studiesArterial input functionPET radiotracersHuman subjectsReference regionReceptorsVT valuesKOR
2014
In Vivo Ketamine-Induced Changes in [11C]ABP688 Binding to Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 5
DeLorenzo C, DellaGioia N, Bloch M, Sanacora G, Nabulsi N, Abdallah C, Yang J, Wen R, Mann JJ, Krystal JH, Parsey RV, Carson RE, Esterlis I. In Vivo Ketamine-Induced Changes in [11C]ABP688 Binding to Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Subtype 5. Biological Psychiatry 2014, 77: 266-275. PMID: 25156701, PMCID: PMC4277907, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.06.024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubtype 5Ketamine administrationPET scansMetabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5Prefrontal cortexAspartate glutamate receptor antagonistIntravenous ketamine administrationKetamine-induced effectsPositron emission tomography (PET) ligandGlutamate receptor antagonistsVolume of distributionMedial prefrontal cortexNegative allosteric modulatorsKetamine initiationGlutamate releaseDorsal putamenKetamine responseSubanesthetic dosesOrbital prefrontal cortexReceptor antagonistAcute effectsBolus injectionDorsal caudateArterial bloodScan 1
2013
Clinical doses of atomoxetine significantly occupy both norepinephrine and serotonin transports: Implications on treatment of depression and ADHD
Ding YS, Naganawa M, Gallezot JD, Nabulsi N, Lin SF, Ropchan J, Weinzimmer D, McCarthy TJ, Carson RE, Huang Y, Laruelle M. Clinical doses of atomoxetine significantly occupy both norepinephrine and serotonin transports: Implications on treatment of depression and ADHD. NeuroImage 2013, 86: 164-171. PMID: 23933039, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.08.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdrenergic Uptake InhibitorsAnimalsAtomoxetine HydrochlorideAttention Deficit Disorder with HyperactivityBrainDepressionDose-Response Relationship, DrugMacaca mulattaNorepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport ProteinsPositron-Emission TomographyPropylaminesSerotonin Plasma Membrane Transport ProteinsTissue DistributionConceptsTreatment of depressionNorepinephrine transporterComparative PET imaging studyMetabolite-corrected arterial input functionFinal infusion rateDoses of atomoxetineDose-dependent occupancyPET imaging studiesSelective serotonin transporter (SERT) ligandNon-human primatesPlasma levelsSelective blockadeSaline infusionClinical dosesTherapeutic effectInfusion rateRelevant dosePET scansAtomoxetineRelevant dosesSerotonin transporter ligandDistribution volumeImaging studiesRhesus monkeysArterial input functionThe neuroinflammation marker translocator protein is not elevated in individuals with mild-to-moderate depression: A [11C]PBR28 PET study
Hannestad J, DellaGioia N, Gallezot JD, Lim K, Nabulsi N, Esterlis I, Pittman B, Lee JY, O’Connor K, Pelletier D, Carson RE. The neuroinflammation marker translocator protein is not elevated in individuals with mild-to-moderate depression: A [11C]PBR28 PET study. Brain Behavior And Immunity 2013, 33: 131-138. PMID: 23850810, PMCID: PMC3899398, DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2013.06.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLevels of TSPOControl subjectsSystemic inflammationPositron emission tomographyModerate depressionTSPO levelsActivation of microgliaTranslocator protein 18Total ligand bindingAcute episodePrimary outcomePostmortem studiesSevere depressionMajor depressionPET scansTSPO genotypeBrain regionsEmission tomographySubject factorsPET studiesArterial input functionInflammationElevated levelsProtein 18Depression