2023
Evaluating 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 Research
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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultBody Mass IndexBrainFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPositron-Emission TomographyRadiopharmaceuticalsReceptor, Cannabinoid, CB1Young Adult
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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAminoacridinesAnimalsBrainHumansMembrane GlycoproteinsPositron-Emission TomographyRadiopharmaceuticalsSynaptic VesiclesConceptsTest-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 characterizationEffect of age on brain metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 measured with [18F]FPEB PET
Mecca AP, Rogers K, Jacobs Z, McDonald JW, Michalak HR, DellaGioia N, Zhao W, Hillmer AT, Nabulsi N, Lim K, Ropchan J, Huang Y, Matuskey D, Esterlis I, Carson RE, van Dyck CH. Effect of age on brain metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 measured with [18F]FPEB PET. NeuroImage 2021, 238: 118217. PMID: 34052464, PMCID: PMC8378132, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118217.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAgingBrain ChemistryFemaleFluorine RadioisotopesFluorodeoxyglucose F18Gray MatterHippocampusHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMiddle AgedNeuroimagingOrgan SizePositron-Emission TomographyRadiopharmaceuticalsReceptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5Young AdultConceptsMetabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5MGluR5 availabilityMultiple brain regionsTissue lossSubtype 5Association cortexPrimary analysisBrain regionsAge-related molecular changesBrain glutamatergic systemBrain tissue lossNon-significant trendPartial volume correctionPositron emission tomographyBrain mGluR5Effect of ageAge-related declineGlutamatergic systemInverse associationTissue alterationsDistribution volumeEmission tomographyOlder ageCognitive functionExploratory analysisPET 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
Binding 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 taskPTSD is associated with neuroimmune suppression: evidence from PET imaging and postmortem transcriptomic studies
Bhatt S, Hillmer AT, Girgenti MJ, Rusowicz A, Kapinos M, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Matuskey D, Angarita GA, Esterlis I, Davis MT, Southwick SM, Friedman MJ, Duman R, Carson R, Krystal J, Pietrzak R, Cosgrove K. PTSD is associated with neuroimmune suppression: evidence from PET imaging and postmortem transcriptomic studies. Nature Communications 2020, 11: 2360. PMID: 32398677, PMCID: PMC7217830, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15930-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcetamidesAdaptor Proteins, Signal TransducingAdultBrainCase-Control StudiesFemaleGene Expression ProfilingHealthy VolunteersHumansMaleMicrogliaMiddle AgedPositron-Emission TomographyPyridinesRadiopharmaceuticalsReceptors, GABAReceptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 14Sex FactorsStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticYoung AdultConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderPeripheral immune activationImmune activationHigher C-reactive protein levelsC-reactive protein levelsTSPO availabilityTranslocator proteinBrain microglial activationTomography brain imagingStress-related pathophysiologyPositron emission tomography (PET) brain imagingNeuroimmune activationMicroglial activationPTSD symptom severityImmunologic regulationPostmortem studiesPTSD subgroupHealthy individualsSymptom severityTrauma exposurePTSD groupStress disorderLower relative expressionBrain imagingPET imagingInverse changes in raphe and cortical 5‐HT1B receptor availability after acute tryptophan depletion in healthy human subjects
Baldassarri SR, Park E, Finnema SJ, Planeta B, Nabulsi N, Najafzadeh S, Ropchan J, Huang Y, Hannestad J, Maloney K, Bhagwagar Z, Carson RE. Inverse changes in raphe and cortical 5‐HT1B receptor availability after acute tryptophan depletion in healthy human subjects. Synapse 2020, 74: e22159. PMID: 32324935, PMCID: PMC7426238, DOI: 10.1002/syn.22159.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSeparating dopamine D2 and D3 receptor sources of [11C]-(+)-PHNO binding potential: Independent component analysis of competitive binding
Smart K, Gallezot JD, Nabulsi N, Labaree D, Zheng MQ, Huang Y, Carson RE, Hillmer AT, Worhunsky PD. Separating dopamine D2 and D3 receptor sources of [11C]-(+)-PHNO binding potential: Independent component analysis of competitive binding. NeuroImage 2020, 214: 116762. PMID: 32201327, PMCID: PMC7263955, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116762.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchKinetic Modeling and Test–Retest Reproducibility of 11C-EKAP and 11C-FEKAP, Novel Agonist Radiotracers for PET Imaging of the κ-Opioid Receptor in Humans
Naganawa M, Li S, Nabulsi N, Lin SF, Labaree D, Ropchan J, Gao H, Mei M, Henry S, Matuskey D, Carson RE, Huang Y. Kinetic Modeling and Test–Retest Reproducibility of 11C-EKAP and 11C-FEKAP, Novel Agonist Radiotracers for PET Imaging of the κ-Opioid Receptor in Humans. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2020, 61: 1636-1642. PMID: 32169917, PMCID: PMC9364890, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.119.227694.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPET imaging of mGluR5 in Alzheimer’s disease
Mecca AP, McDonald JW, Michalak HR, Godek TA, Harris JE, Pugh EA, Kemp EC, Chen MK, Salardini A, Nabulsi NB, Lim K, Huang Y, Carson RE, Strittmatter SM, van Dyck CH. PET imaging of mGluR5 in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy 2020, 12: 15. PMID: 31954399, PMCID: PMC6969979, DOI: 10.1186/s13195-020-0582-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEarly Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's diseaseMild cognitive impairmentBrain amyloidHippocampus of ADPositron emission tomography radioligandSubtype 5 receptorsMild AD dementiaGray matter atrophyAssociation cortical regionsAmnestic mild cognitive impairmentImportant therapeutic targetCerebellum reference regionDynamic PET scansHippocampal mGluR5MethodsSixteen individualsMGluR5 bindingSynaptotoxic actionAD dementiaAD pathogenesisMatter atrophyInitial administrationAD groupSynaptic transmissionEntorhinal cortex
2019
Measuring the effects of ketamine on mGluR5 using [18F]FPEB and PET
Holmes SE, Gallezot JD, Davis MT, DellaGioia N, Matuskey D, Nabulsi N, Krystal JH, Javitch JA, DeLorenzo C, Carson RE, Esterlis I. Measuring the effects of ketamine on mGluR5 using [18F]FPEB and PET. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2019, 40: 2254-2264. PMID: 31744389, PMCID: PMC7585925, DOI: 10.1177/0271678x19886316.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEffects of ketamineKetamine infusionGlutamate transmissionMetabotropic glutamate receptor 5Ketamine-induced effectsKetamine-induced changesGlutamate receptor 5Promising treatment targetDrug challenge studiesTwo-tissue compartment modelMGluR5 radioligandBlood pressureMGluR5 availabilityBaseline scanOutcome measuresHealthy subjectsHeart ratePsychiatric disordersReceptor 5Modulatory effectsMGluR5Treatment targetsChallenge studiesArterial input functionChallenge paradigmAssessment of a white matter reference region for 11C-UCB-J PET quantification
Rossano S, Toyonaga T, Finnema SJ, Naganawa M, Lu Y, Nabulsi N, Ropchan J, De Bruyn S, Otoul C, Stockis A, Nicolas JM, Martin P, Mercier J, Huang Y, Maguire RP, Carson RE. Assessment of a white matter reference region for 11C-UCB-J PET quantification. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2019, 40: 1890-1901. PMID: 31570041, PMCID: PMC7446568, DOI: 10.1177/0271678x19879230.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIn vivo evidence for dysregulation of mGluR5 as a biomarker of suicidal ideation
Davis MT, Hillmer A, Holmes SE, Pietrzak RH, DellaGioia N, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Angarita G, Carson RE, Krystal JH, Esterlis I. In vivo evidence for dysregulation of mGluR5 as a biomarker of suicidal ideation. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2019, 116: 11490-11495. PMID: 31085640, PMCID: PMC6561298, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1818871116.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMGluR5 availabilitySuicidal ideationHC individualsPathophysiology of PTSDLimbic brain regionsVolume of distributionHealthy comparison controlsSuicide risk managementPositron emission tomographyReceptor 5Venous input functionsBrain regionsPTSD individualsEmission tomographyMDD individualsVivo evidenceRecent evidencePotential roleMGluR5PTSDComparison controlsDysregulationMDDIdeationIndividualsFirst 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 ResearchImaging the Enzyme 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 with PET: Evaluation of the Novel Radiotracer 11C-AS2471907 in Human Brain
Gallezot JD, Nabulsi N, Henry S, Pracitto R, Planeta B, Ropchan J, Lin SF, Labaree D, Kapinos M, Shirali A, Lara-Jaime T, Gao H, Matuskey D, Walzer M, Marek GJ, Bellaire S, Yuan N, Carson RE, Huang Y. Imaging the Enzyme 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 with PET: Evaluation of the Novel Radiotracer 11C-AS2471907 in Human Brain. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2019, 60: 1140-1146. PMID: 30877174, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.118.219766.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTest-retest variabilityNondisplaceable distribution volumeOccipital cortexEnzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1White matterDistribution volumeTreatment of depressionDehydrogenase type 1Large cortical regionsPosttraumatic stress disorderHuman brainAdditional scansIntraclass correlation coefficientAge-related cognitive functionBolus administrationFrontal cortexCaudate nucleusAdipose tissueTime-activity curvesNovel radiotracersGlucocorticoid levelsParietal cortexCortical regionsPattern of uptakeType 1Evaluation 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
Synthesis and in Vivo Evaluation of a Novel PET Radiotracer for Imaging of Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) in Nonhuman Primates
Li S, Cai Z, Wu X, Holden D, Pracitto R, Kapinos M, Gao H, Labaree D, Nabulsi N, Carson RE, Huang Y. Synthesis and in Vivo Evaluation of a Novel PET Radiotracer for Imaging of Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) in Nonhuman Primates. ACS Chemical Neuroscience 2018, 10: 1544-1554. PMID: 30396272, PMCID: PMC6810685, DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00526.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AStandardized uptake valuePET radiotracersNonhuman primatesAlterations of synapsesC-UCBPeak standardized uptake valueVivo evaluationHigh brain uptakeNovel PET radiotracersBrain uptakeSynaptic densityExcellent radiotracerPsychiatric disordersUptake valueCingulate cortexAlzheimer's diseaseBrain disordersNovel radiotracersRhesus monkeysNeurodegenerative diseasesTissue kineticsDiseaseAttractive imaging propertiesLevetiracetam
2017
Evaluation of (‐)‐[18F]Flubatine‐specific binding: Implications for reference region approaches
Bhatt S, Hillmer AT, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Lim K, Lin S, Esterlis I, Carson RE, Huang Y, Cosgrove KP. Evaluation of (‐)‐[18F]Flubatine‐specific binding: Implications for reference region approaches. Synapse 2017, 72 PMID: 29105121, PMCID: PMC6547815, DOI: 10.1002/syn.22016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNicotinic acetylcholine receptorsPositron emission tomographyCorpus callosumAcetylcholine receptorsGreater receptor occupancyReference regionRegion-based quantificationMin bolusTobacco smokersFrontal cortexTobacco cigarettesReceptor occupancyConstant infusionDistribution volumeEmission tomographyCallosumSpecific bindingBrainReceptorsSmokersSmokingPutamenInfusionBolusCortex