2022
Age, gender and body-mass-index relationships with in vivo CB1 receptor availability in healthy humans measured with [11C]OMAR PET
Radhakrishnan R, Worhunsky PD, Zheng MQ, Najafzadeh S, Gallezot JD, Planeta B, Henry S, Nabulsi N, Ranganathan M, Skosnik PD, Pittman B, Cyril D'Souza D, Carson RE, Huang Y, Potenza MN, Matuskey D. Age, gender and body-mass-index relationships with in vivo CB1 receptor availability in healthy humans measured with [11C]OMAR PET. NeuroImage 2022, 264: 119674. PMID: 36243269, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119674.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
Imaging brain cortisol regulation in PTSD with a target for 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1
Bhatt S, Hillmer AT, Rusowicz A, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Angarita GA, Najafzadeh S, Kapinos M, Southwick SM, Krystal JH, Carson RE, Huang Y, Cosgrove KP. Imaging brain cortisol regulation in PTSD with a target for 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2021, 131: e150452. PMID: 34651587, PMCID: PMC8516462, DOI: 10.1172/jci150452.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderPositron emission tomographyVolume of distributionDehydrogenase type 1Trauma-exposed controlsPTSD groupTranslocator proteinType 1Veterans Affairs (VA) National CenterOverall PTSD severityBrain glucocorticoidBrain immuneMethodsSixteen individualsPeripheral cortisolMicroglial markersImmune suppressionTranslational Science AwardsCortisol levelsNIH National CenterTC groupCortisol regulationEmission tomographyStress disorderLower PTSD symptomsPTSD symptomsPET 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
Preliminary in vivo evidence of lower hippocampal synaptic density in cannabis use disorder
D’Souza D, Radhakrishnan R, Naganawa M, Ganesh S, Nabulsi N, Najafzadeh S, Ropchan J, Ranganathan M, Cortes-Briones J, Huang Y, Carson RE, Skosnik P. Preliminary in vivo evidence of lower hippocampal synaptic density in cannabis use disorder. Molecular Psychiatry 2020, 26: 3192-3200. PMID: 32973170, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-00891-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHippocampal synaptic densityCannabis use disorderHealthy controlsSynaptic densityPositron emission tomographyUse disordersDSM-5 cannabis use disorderVivo evidenceAdministration of cannabinoidsHippocampal synaptic integrityVerbal memory taskSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AHuman cannabis usersEffects of cannabisWarrants further studyPlasma input functionMemory taskCentrum semiovaleAdult rodentsOne-tissue compartment modelSynaptic integrityHippocampal functionCannabis misuseArterial samplingEmission tomography
2019
The Kappa Opioid Receptor Is Associated With Naltrexone-Induced Reduction of Drinking and Craving
de Laat B, Goldberg A, Shi J, Tetrault JM, Nabulsi N, Zheng MQ, Najafzadeh S, Gao H, Kapinos M, Ropchan J, O'Malley SS, Huang Y, Morris ED, Krishnan-Sarin S. The Kappa Opioid Receptor Is Associated With Naltrexone-Induced Reduction of Drinking and Craving. Biological Psychiatry 2019, 86: 864-871. PMID: 31399255, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.05.021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKappa-opioid receptorsAlcohol use disorderOpioid receptorsUse disordersNonselective opioid receptor antagonistModest clinical effectsEfficacy of naltrexoneOpioid receptor antagonistDSM-IV criteriaPositron emission tomographyAlcohol Urge QuestionnaireNaltrexone initiationNaltrexone therapyClinical effectsReceptor antagonistTherapeutic effectCingulate cortexDrinking paradigmHeavy drinkersBilateral insulaNaltrexoneAlcohol dependenceBrain regionsEmission tomographyPrefrontal cortexFirst in-human PET study and kinetic evaluation of [18F]AS2471907 for imaging 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1
Bhatt S, Nabulsi NB, Li S, Cai Z, Matuskey D, Bini J, Najafzadeh S, Kapinos M, Ropchan JR, Carson RE, Cosgrove KP, Huang Y, Hillmer AT. First in-human PET study and kinetic evaluation of [18F]AS2471907 for imaging 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2019, 40: 695-704. PMID: 30895878, PMCID: PMC7168798, DOI: 10.1177/0271678x19838633.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEvaluation 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
Evaluation of PET Brain Radioligands for Imaging Pancreatic β-Cell Mass: Potential Utility of 11C-(+)-PHNO
Bini J, Naganawa M, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Ropchan J, Lim K, Najafzadeh S, Herold KC, Cline GW, Carson RE. Evaluation of PET Brain Radioligands for Imaging Pancreatic β-Cell Mass: Potential Utility of 11C-(+)-PHNO. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2018, 59: 1249-1254. PMID: 29371405, PMCID: PMC6071501, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.117.197285.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsT1DM subjectsΒ-cell massHealthy controlsΒ-cellsAbdominal organsType 1 diabetes mellitusC-peptide levelsHealthy control subjectsPancreatic β-cell massDeficient insulin secretionReceptor agonist radioligandPET/CTIslets of LangerhansDynamic PET/CTCommon cellular receptorPancreatic bindingDiabetes mellitusDiabetic subjectsControl subjectsNeurologic tissueC-peptideInsulin secretionMean SUVAgonist radioligandDiabetes therapy
2016
Preclinical Evaluation of 18F-PF-05270430, a Novel PET Radioligand for the Phosphodiesterase 2A Enzyme
Chen L, Nabulsi N, Naganawa M, Zasadny K, Skaddan MB, Zhang L, Najafzadeh S, Lin SF, Helal CJ, Boyden TL, Chang C, Ropchan J, Carson RE, Villalobos A, Huang Y. Preclinical Evaluation of 18F-PF-05270430, a Novel PET Radioligand for the Phosphodiesterase 2A Enzyme. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2016, 57: 1448-1453. PMID: 27199356, PMCID: PMC5093921, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.115.171454.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAnimalsAzabicyclo CompoundsAzetidinesBrainCyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 2Macaca mulattaMaleMetabolic Clearance RateMolecular ImagingOrgan SpecificityPositron-Emission TomographyRadiopharmaceuticalsRatsRats, Sprague-DawleyReproducibility of ResultsSensitivity and SpecificitySpecies SpecificityTissue DistributionSynthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of 11C-UCB-J as a PET Tracer for Imaging the Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A in the Brain
Nabulsi N, Mercier J, Holden D, Carré S, Najafzadeh S, Vandergeten MC, Lin SF, Deo A, Price N, Wood M, Lara-Jaime T, Montel F, Laruelle M, Carson RE, Hannestad J, Huang Y. Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of 11C-UCB-J as a PET Tracer for Imaging the Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A in the Brain. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2016, 57: 777-784. PMID: 26848175, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.115.168179.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AWhole-body biodistributionPET radiotracersNonhuman primatesDose-limiting organHigher free fractionGray matter regionsBaseline VTNondisplaceable distribution volumeAntiepileptic drugsVitro inhibition constantSynaptic densityPreclinical evaluationMonkey brainDistribution volumeArterial samplingEndocrine cellsRegional volumesMatter regionsRhesus macaquesPET tracersUCBFree fractionBrainTarget occupancy
2015
Test–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
Further evaluation of [11C]MP‐10 as a radiotracer for phosphodiesterase 10A: PET imaging study in rhesus monkeys and brain tissue metabolite analysis
Lin S, Labaree D, Chen M, Holden D, Gallezot J, Kapinos M, Teng J, Najafzadeh S, Plisson C, Rabiner EA, Gunn RN, Carson RE, Huang Y. Further evaluation of [11C]MP‐10 as a radiotracer for phosphodiesterase 10A: PET imaging study in rhesus monkeys and brain tissue metabolite analysis. Synapse 2014, 69: 86-95. PMID: 25450608, PMCID: PMC4275380, DOI: 10.1002/syn.21792.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRhesus monkeysPhosphodiesterase 10ASprague-Dawley ratsMP-10Dose-dependent mannerSpecific PET tracersHigh specific bindingPET imaging studiesTissue uptake kineticsBaseline scanBrain regionsImaging studiesFurther evaluationMultilinear analysis methodRegional volumesPET tracersNonhuman primatesPET imagingVivo studiesReference tissueMonkeysBrainCerebellumSpecific bindingPresent study
2013
Reductions in Brain 5-HT1B Receptor Availability in Primarily Cocaine-Dependent Humans
Matuskey D, Bhagwagar Z, Planeta B, Pittman B, Gallezot JD, Chen J, Wanyiri J, Najafzadeh S, Ropchan J, Geha P, Huang Y, Potenza MN, Neumeister A, Carson RE, Malison RT. Reductions in Brain 5-HT1B Receptor Availability in Primarily Cocaine-Dependent Humans. Biological Psychiatry 2013, 76: 816-822. PMID: 24433854, PMCID: PMC4037398, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.11.022.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRegional binding potentialPositron emission tomographyCocaine dependenceEmission tomographyFrontal cortexReceptor availabilityAge-matched healthy control subjectsSignificant gray matter reductionsYears of cocaineIllicit substance abuseHealthy control subjectsDaily tobacco useCocaine-dependent humansGray matter reductionsEffects of cocaineMagnetic resonance imagingSignificant reductionPreclinical evidenceControl subjectsPrimary addictionSerotonin receptorsHealthy subjectsTobacco useMedication developmentAnterior cingulateTracer Kinetic Modeling of [11C]AFM, a New PET Imaging Agent for the Serotonin Transporter
Naganawa M, Nabulsi N, Planeta B, Gallezot JD, Lin SF, Najafzadeh S, Williams W, Ropchan J, Labaree D, Neumeister A, Huang Y, Carson RE. Tracer Kinetic Modeling of [11C]AFM, a New PET Imaging Agent for the Serotonin Transporter. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2013, 33: 1886-1896. PMID: 23921898, PMCID: PMC3851894, DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.2013.134.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositron emission tomographySerotonin transporterReference tissue modelArterial input functionOne-tissue modelMultilinear reference tissue modelNew PET imaging agentTwo-tissue modelPET imaging agentHealthy human brainSuitable PET radioligandNew positron emission tomographySERT densityRegional time-activity curvesTime-activity curvesEmission tomography dataRegional bindingEmission tomographyPET radioligandRoutine useInterest analysisNoninvasive methodPositron emission tomography dataImaging agentHuman brainDetermination of the In Vivo Selectivity of a New κ-Opioid Receptor Antagonist PET Tracer 11C-LY2795050 in the Rhesus Monkey
Kim SJ, Zheng MQ, Nabulsi N, Labaree D, Ropchan J, Najafzadeh S, Carson RE, Huang Y, Morris ED. Determination of the In Vivo Selectivity of a New κ-Opioid Receptor Antagonist PET Tracer 11C-LY2795050 in the Rhesus Monkey. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2013, 54: 1668-1674. PMID: 23918735, PMCID: PMC5824998, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.112.118877.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBenzamidesBrainComputer SimulationImage Interpretation, Computer-AssistedMacaca mulattaMetabolic Clearance RateModels, BiologicalPositron-Emission TomographyPyrrolidinesRadiopharmaceuticalsReceptors, Opioid, kappaReproducibility of ResultsSensitivity and SpecificityTissue DistributionElevated brain cannabinoid CB1 receptor availability in post-traumatic stress disorder: a positron emission tomography study
Neumeister A, Normandin MD, Pietrzak RH, Piomelli D, Zheng MQ, Gujarro-Anton A, Potenza MN, Bailey CR, Lin SF, Najafzadeh S, Ropchan J, Henry S, Corsi-Travali S, Carson RE, Huang Y. Elevated brain cannabinoid CB1 receptor availability in post-traumatic stress disorder: a positron emission tomography study. Molecular Psychiatry 2013, 18: 1034-1040. PMID: 23670490, PMCID: PMC3752332, DOI: 10.1038/mp.2013.61.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAmidesAnalysis of VarianceArachidonic AcidsBrainEndocannabinoidsEthanolaminesFemaleGlyceridesHumansHydrocortisoneImidazolesLogistic ModelsMalePalmitic AcidsPiperidinesPolyunsaturated AlkamidesPyrazolesRadionuclide ImagingReceptor, Cannabinoid, CB1Stress Disorders, Post-TraumaticYoung AdultConceptsPost-traumatic stress disorderVolume of distributionCB1 receptor availabilityPositron emission tomographyHC groupReceptor availabilityTC groupCannabinoid type 1 receptorStress disorderPositron emission tomography studyEvidence-based pharmacotherapyEtiology of PTSDType 1 receptorEmission tomography studiesAnandamide concentrationsElevated brainPeripheral levelsHealthy controlsCB1 receptorsUntreated individualsPET scansAnimal modelsCortisol levelsLifetime historyEmission tomographyStudies of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 radioligand [11C]ABP688 with N‐acetylcysteine challenge in rhesus monkeys
Sandiego CM, Nabulsi N, Lin S, Labaree D, Najafzadeh S, Huang Y, Cosgrove K, Carson RE. Studies of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 radioligand [11C]ABP688 with N‐acetylcysteine challenge in rhesus monkeys. Synapse 2013, 67: 489-501. PMID: 23424090, PMCID: PMC3710146, DOI: 10.1002/syn.21656.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsN-acetylcysteineRhesus monkeysCerebellum gray matterMetabotropic glutamate receptor 5N-acetylcysteine challengeBaboon studiesGlutamate receptor 5Non-displaceable binding potentialHigh intersubject variabilityReference regionRecent pilot studySignificant global decreaseGlutamate transmissionNAC doseEndogenous glutamatePsychiatric illnessReceptor 5Gray matterAllosteric antagonistsPilot studyReceptor bindingIntersubject variabilitySame dayDoseMonkeys