Featured Publications
Assessing 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 measures
2024
Synaptic density patterns in early Alzheimer’s disease assessed by independent component analysis
Fang X, Raval N, O’Dell R, Naganawa M, Mecca A, Chen M, van Dyck C, Carson R. Synaptic density patterns in early Alzheimer’s disease assessed by independent component analysis. Brain Communications 2024, 6: fcae107. PMID: 38601916, PMCID: PMC11004947, DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae107.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMedial temporal brain regionsAlzheimer's diseaseTemporal brain regionsCognitive deficitsBrain regionsCognitive impairmentPostmortem studiesBinds to SV2ASynaptic densityReduction of synaptic densityIndependent component analysisSynaptic lossAlzheimerDeficitsImpairmentBrainNeocortexComponent analysisPrimary pathologySV2A
2023
Assessment of Gray Matter Microstructure and Synaptic Density in Alzheimer's Disease: A Multimodal Imaging Study With DTI and SV2A PET
Silva-Rudberg J, Salardini E, O'Dell R, Chen M, Ra J, Georgelos J, Morehouse M, Melino K, Varma P, Toyonaga T, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Carson R, van Dyck C, Mecca A. Assessment of Gray Matter Microstructure and Synaptic Density in Alzheimer's Disease: A Multimodal Imaging Study With DTI and SV2A PET. American Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry 2023, 32: 17-28. PMID: 37673749, PMCID: PMC10840732, DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.08.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSynaptic densityAlzheimer's diseaseMean diffusivitySynaptic lossGray matter microstructureGray matter mean diffusivityDisease pathologyHippocampal synaptic densityMajor pathological correlateSetting of ADAD-related neuropathologySynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AHippocampal mean diffusivityAlzheimer's disease pathologyAmyloid-positive participantsMatter mean diffusivityPositron emission tomography (PET) imagingEmission Tomography ImagingGray matter structuresPathological correlatesPositive participantsInverse associationAD groupCognitive impairmentDiseasePrincipal 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 ResearchConceptsCognitive 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 patterns
2022
Reversal of synapse loss in Alzheimer mouse models by targeting mGluR5 to prevent synaptic tagging by C1Q
Spurrier J, Nicholson L, Fang XT, Stoner AJ, Toyonaga T, Holden D, Siegert TR, Laird W, Allnutt MA, Chiasseu M, Brody AH, Takahashi H, Nies SH, Pérez-Cañamás A, Sadasivam P, Lee S, Li S, Zhang L, Huang YH, Carson RE, Cai Z, Strittmatter SM. Reversal of synapse loss in Alzheimer mouse models by targeting mGluR5 to prevent synaptic tagging by C1Q. Science Translational Medicine 2022, 14: eabi8593. PMID: 35648810, PMCID: PMC9554345, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abi8593.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositron emission tomographySilent allosteric modulatorsAlzheimer's diseaseMouse modelPhospho-tau accumulationAged mouse modelAlzheimer mouse modelImmune-mediated attackSAM treatmentMicroglial mediatorsSynaptic engulfmentSynaptic lossAD miceComplement component C1qSynapse lossGlutamate responseSynaptic densityDrug washoutSynaptic localizationTherapeutic benefitCognitive impairmentAllosteric modulatorsEmission tomographyNonhuman primatesComponent C1qSynaptic density and cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease: A PET imaging study with [11C]UCB‐J
Mecca AP, O'Dell RS, Sharp ES, Banks ER, Bartlett HH, Zhao W, Lipior S, Diepenbrock NG, Chen M, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Nabulsi NB, Vander Wyk B, Arnsten AFT, Huang Y, Carson RE, van Dyck C. Synaptic density and cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease: A PET imaging study with [11C]UCB‐J. Alzheimer's & Dementia 2022, 18: 2527-2536. PMID: 35174954, PMCID: PMC9381645, DOI: 10.1002/alz.12582.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSynaptic densityEarly Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's diseaseCognitive performanceMajor pathological correlateGray matter volumePositron emission tomography (PET) imagingEmission Tomography ImagingPET imaging studiesIndividual cognitive domainsNeuropathologic studiesSignificant positive associationSynapse lossSynaptic alterationsPathological correlatesNeuropsychological test performanceMatter volumeCognitive impairmentSignificant associationImaging studiesDiseaseTomography imagingGlobal cognitionStrongest predictorPositive association
2020
In vivo measurement of widespread synaptic loss in Alzheimer's disease with SV2A PET
Mecca AP, Chen M, O'Dell RS, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Godek TA, Harris JE, Bartlett HH, Zhao W, Nabulsi NB, Vander Wyk B, Varma P, Arnsten AFT, Huang Y, Carson RE, van Dyck C. In vivo measurement of widespread synaptic loss in Alzheimer's disease with SV2A PET. Alzheimer's & Dementia 2020, 16: 974-982. PMID: 32400950, PMCID: PMC7383876, DOI: 10.1002/alz.12097.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWidespread synaptic lossEarly Alzheimer's diseaseSynaptic lossAlzheimer's diseaseSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AGray matter volumeMajor structural correlatePositron emission tomography (PET) imagingEmission Tomography ImagingDistribution volume ratioCerebellar reference regionNeocortical brain regionsSynaptic densityAD progressionConsistent pathologyPotential therapyMatter volumePromising biomarkerCognitive impairmentCN participantsBrain regionsDiseaseTomography imagingNormal participantsStructural correlates
2019
Evaluation 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
Dose-Related Target Occupancy and Effects on Circuitry, Behavior, and Neuroplasticity of the Glycine Transporter-1 Inhibitor PF-03463275 in Healthy and Schizophrenia Subjects
D’Souza D, Carson RE, Driesen N, Johannesen J, Ranganathan M, Krystal JH, Ahn K, Bielen K, Carbuto M, Deaso E, D’Souza D, Ranganathan M, Naganawa M, Ranganathan M, D’Souza D, Nabulsi N, Zheng M, Lin S, Huang Y, Carson R, Driesen N, Ahn K, Morgan P, Suckow R, He G, McCarthy G, Krystal J, Johannesen J, Kenney J, Gelernter J, Gueorguieva R, Pittman B. Dose-Related Target Occupancy and Effects on Circuitry, Behavior, and Neuroplasticity of the Glycine Transporter-1 Inhibitor PF-03463275 in Healthy and Schizophrenia Subjects. Biological Psychiatry 2018, 84: 413-421. PMID: 29499855, PMCID: PMC6068006, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.12.019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAzabicyclo CompoundsBrainCognitive DysfunctionDose-Response Relationship, DrugDouble-Blind MethodFemaleGlycine Plasma Membrane Transport ProteinsHumansImidazolesKetamineLong-Term PotentiationMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMemory, Short-TermMiddle AgedPositron-Emission TomographySchizophreniaYoung AdultConceptsHealthy control subjectsLong-term potentiationSchizophrenia patientsControl subjectsCognitive impairmentClinical trialsGlyT1 occupancyN-methyl-D-aspartate receptor functionGlycine transporter-1 inhibitorKetamine-induced disruptionKetamine-induced effectsFunctional magnetic resonance imagingMagnetic resonance imagingPositron emission tomographyMemory-related activationF-MKSubstudy 1Schizophrenia subjectsResonance imagingReceptor functionCortical regionsEmission tomographyTarget engagementPotentiationSchizophrenia
2012
Vascular burden and Alzheimer disease pathologic progression
Lo R, Jagust W, Weiner M, Aisen P, Weiner M, Aisen P, Petersen R, Jack C, Jagust W, Trojanowki J, Toga A, Beckett L, Green R, Saykin A, Morris J, Liu E, Green R, Montine T, Petersen R, Aisen P, Gamst A, Thomas R, Donohue M, Walter S, Gessert D, Sather T, Beckett L, Harvey D, Gamst A, Donohue M, Kornak J, Jack C, Dale A, Bernstein M, Felmlee J, Fox N, Thompson P, Schuff N, Alexander G, DeCarli C, Jagust W, Bandy D, Koeppe R, Foster N, Reiman E, Chen K, Mathis C, Morris J, Cairns N, Taylor-Reinwald L, Trojanowki J, Shaw L, Lee V, Korecka M, Toga A, Crawford K, Neu S, Saykin A, Foroud T, Potkin S, Shen L, Kachaturian Z, Frank R, Snyder P, Molchan S, Kaye J, Quinn J, Lind B, Dolen S, Schneider L, Pawluczyk S, Spann B, Brewer J, Vanderswag H, Heidebrink J, Lord J, Petersen R, Johnson K, Doody R, Villanueva-Meyer J, Chowdhury M, Stern Y, Honig L, Bell K, Morris J, Ances B, Carroll M, Leon S, Mintun M, Schneider S, Marson D, Griffith R, Clark D, Grossman H, Mitsis E, Romirowsky A, deToledo-Morrell L, Shah R, Duara R, Varon D, Roberts P, Albert M, Onyike C, Kielb S, Rusinek H, de Leon M, Glodzik L, De Santi S, Doraiswamy P, Petrella J, Coleman R, Arnold S, Karlawish J, Wolk D, Smith C, Jicha G, Hardy P, Lopez O, Oakley M, Simpson D, Porsteinsson A, Goldstein B, Martin K, Makino K, Ismail M, Brand C, Mulnard R, Thai G, Mc-Adams-Ortiz C, Womack K, Mathews D, Quiceno M, Diaz-Arrastia R, King R, Weiner M, Martin-Cook K, DeVous M, Levey A, Lah J, Cellar J, Burns J, Anderson H, Swerdlow R, Apostolova L, Lu P, Bartzokis G, Silverman D, Graff-Radford N, Parfitt F, Johnson H, Farlow M, Hake A, Matthews B, Herring S, van Dyck C, Carson R, MacAvoy M, Chertkow H, Bergman H, Hosein C, Black S, Stefanovic D, Caldwell C, Hsiung G, Feldman H, Mudge B, Assaly M, Kertesz A, Rogers J, Trost D, Bernick C, Munic D, Kerwin D, Mesulam M, Lipowski K, Wu C, Johnson N, Sadowsky C, Martinez W, Villena T, Turner R, Johnson K, Reynolds B, Sperling R, Johnson K, Marshall G, Frey M, Yesavage J, Taylor J, Lane B, Rosen A, Tinklenberg J, Sabbagh M, Belden C, Jacobson S, Kowall N, Killiany R, Budson A, Norbash A, Johnson P, Obisesan T, Wolday S, Bwayo S, Lerner A, Hudson L, Ogrocki P, Fletcher E, Carmichael O, Olichney J, DeCarli C, Kittur S, Borrie M, Lee T, Bartha D, Johnson S, Asthana S, Carlsson C, Potkin S, Preda A, Nguyen D, Tariot P, Fleisher A, Reeder S, Bates V, Capote H, Rainka M, Scharre D, Kataki M, Zimmerman E, Celmins D, Brown A, Pearlson G, Blank K, Anderson K, Saykin A, Santulli R, Schwartz E, Sink K, Williamson J, Garg P, Watkins F, Ott B, Querfurth H, Tremont G, Salloway S, Malloy P, Correia S, Rosen H, Miller B, Mintzer J, Longmire C, Spicer K, Finger E, Rachinsky I, Rogers J, Kertesz A, Drost D. Vascular burden and Alzheimer disease pathologic progression. Neurology 2012, 79: 1349-1355. PMID: 22972646, PMCID: PMC3448744, DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e31826c1b9d.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWhite matter hyperintensitiesMild cognitive impairmentVascular burdenNormal cognitionPathologic progressionVascular contributionsDisease Neuroimaging InitiativeCognitive impairmentMRI biomarkersMRI white matter hyperintensitiesBaseline cardiovascular riskCardiovascular risk profileCardiovascular risk scoreLow FDG uptakeExecutive functionAlzheimer's disease biomarkersAlzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging InitiativeCardiovascular riskCerebrovascular riskPoorer executive functionHippocampal atrophyFDG uptakeSurrogate markerMatter hyperintensitiesRisk score