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
A pilot study to evaluate the effect of CT1812 treatment on synaptic density and other biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease
van Dyck C, Mecca A, O’Dell R, Bartlett H, Diepenbrock N, Huang Y, Hamby M, Grundman M, Catalano S, Caggiano A, Carson R. A pilot study to evaluate the effect of CT1812 treatment on synaptic density and other biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy 2024, 16: 20. PMID: 38273408, PMCID: PMC10809445, DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01382-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlzheimer DiseaseAmyloid beta-PeptidesAnimalsBiomarkersFluorodeoxyglucose F18HumansMicePilot ProjectsPositron-Emission TomographyConceptsMild to moderate dementiaPositron emission tomographyAlzheimer's diseaseVolumetric MRIModerate dementiaClinical rating scalesSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ACerebrospinal fluidMouse model of ADPharmacodynamic effectsPlacebo-controlled phase 1 clinical trialBiomarkers of AD pathologyClinical trialsCognitive measuresNominally significant differencesPhase 1 clinical trialModel of ADHippocampal cortexPhase 1/2 studyRating ScaleParallel-group trialSynaptic densityTrial registrationThe clinical trialPlacebo-controlledSigma-2 receptor ligands
2023
Principal 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlzheimer DiseaseAmyloidAmyloidogenic ProteinsBrainCognitive DysfunctionHumansPositron-Emission TomographyPrincipal Component AnalysisConceptsCognitive 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlzheimer DiseaseAnimalsComplement C1qDisease Models, AnimalMiceReceptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5SynapsesConceptsPositron 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 C1qImaging of Synaptic Density in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Carson RE, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Koohsari S, Yang Y, Chen MK, Matuskey D, Finnema SJ. Imaging of Synaptic Density in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2022, 63: 60s-67s. PMID: 35649655, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.121.263201.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlzheimer DiseaseAnimalsHumansMembrane GlycoproteinsMiceNerve Tissue ProteinsPositron-Emission TomographyRadiopharmaceuticalsRatsConceptsSynaptic densityAlzheimer's diseaseNeurodegenerative disordersNeurodegenerative diseasesSynaptic vesicle protein 2APotential reference regionsSynaptic density lossLewy body dementiaProgressive supranuclear palsyDisease-modifying therapiesSpecific brain proteinsLarge patient cohortAntiepileptic drug levetiracetamPET imaging resultsMultiple neurodegenerative disordersSynaptic lossSupranuclear palsyCorticobasal degenerationNeuropathologic diseasePatient cohortRat modelClinical valueF-FDGParkinson's diseaseEfficacy assessmentSynaptic 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlzheimer DiseaseBrainCognitionCognitive DysfunctionHumansPositron-Emission TomographySynapsesConceptsSynaptic 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
2021
Association of entorhinal cortical tau deposition and hippocampal synaptic density in older individuals with normal cognition and early Alzheimer's disease
Mecca AP, Chen MK, O'Dell RS, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Godek TA, Harris JE, Bartlett HH, Zhao W, Banks ER, Ni GS, Rogers K, Gallezot JD, Ropchan J, Emery PR, Nabulsi NB, Vander Wyk BC, Arnsten AFT, Huang Y, Carson RE, van Dyck CH. Association of entorhinal cortical tau deposition and hippocampal synaptic density in older individuals with normal cognition and early Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiology Of Aging 2021, 111: 44-53. PMID: 34963063, PMCID: PMC8761170, DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.11.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgingAlzheimer DiseaseCognitionEntorhinal CortexHealthy AgingHippocampusSynapsesTau ProteinsConceptsHippocampal synaptic densitySynaptic densityAlzheimer's diseaseCortical tau depositionEarly neuropathologic changesInitial clinical featuresSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AEarly Alzheimer's diseaseOverall sampleEntorhinal cortical cellsClinical featuresNeuropathologic changesTau depositionTau pathologyInverse associationPerforant pathAD groupSynaptic failureNormal cognitionOlder individualsEarly degenerationDiseaseNormal participantsHippocampusTauPartial volume correction analysis for 11C-UCB-J PET studies of Alzheimer's disease
Lu Y, Toyonaga T, Naganawa M, Gallezot JD, Chen MK, Mecca AP, van Dyck CH, Carson RE. Partial volume correction analysis for 11C-UCB-J PET studies of Alzheimer's disease. NeuroImage 2021, 238: 118248. PMID: 34119639, PMCID: PMC8454285, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118248.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchComparison of [11C]UCB-J and [18F]FDG PET in Alzheimer’s disease: A tracer kinetic modeling study
Chen MK, Mecca AP, Naganawa M, Gallezot JD, Toyonaga T, Mondal J, Finnema SJ, Lin SF, O’Dell R, McDonald JW, Michalak HR, Vander Wyk B, Nabulsi NB, Huang Y, Arnsten AF, van Dyck CH, Carson RE. Comparison of [11C]UCB-J and [18F]FDG PET in Alzheimer’s disease: A tracer kinetic modeling study. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2021, 41: 2395-2409. PMID: 33757318, PMCID: PMC8393289, DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211004312.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedAged, 80 and overAlzheimer DiseaseFemaleFluorodeoxyglucose F18HumansMaleMiddle AgedPositron-Emission TomographyConceptsSynaptic densityMedial temporal regionsAlzheimer's diseaseNeocortical regionsTemporal regionsRelative outcome measuresMedial temporal lobeVivo PET imagingJ bindingOutcome measuresTemporal lobeMagnitude of reductionCN participantsBrain regionsAD participantsDiseasePET imagingConcordant reductionNormal participantsSynaptic vesiclesPerfusionMetabolismSuitable markerParticipantsSimilar patternAssociation of Aβ deposition and regional synaptic density in early Alzheimer’s disease: a PET imaging study with [11C]UCB-J
O’Dell R, Mecca AP, Chen MK, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Lu Y, Godek TA, Harris JE, Bartlett HH, Banks ER, Kominek VL, Zhao W, Nabulsi NB, Ropchan J, Ye Y, Vander Wyk BC, Huang Y, Arnsten AFT, Carson RE, van Dyck CH. Association of Aβ deposition and regional synaptic density in early Alzheimer’s disease: a PET imaging study with [11C]UCB-J. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy 2021, 13: 11. PMID: 33402201, PMCID: PMC7786921, DOI: 10.1186/s13195-020-00742-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlzheimer DiseaseAmyloid beta-PeptidesAniline CompoundsBrainCognitive DysfunctionHumansPositron-Emission TomographyConceptsRegional Aβ depositionAβ depositionEarly Alzheimer's diseaseSynaptic lossSynaptic densityAlzheimer's diseaseDistribution volume ratioPositron emission tomographyHippocampal synaptic densityMild AD dementiaDeposition of AβSignificant inverse associationAmnestic mild cognitive impairmentWhole-brain analysisMild cognitive impairmentCerebellar reference regionPET imaging studiesPlaque burdenAD dementiaInverse associationPostmortem studiesClinical severityNeurodegenerative processesClinical diseaseLarge cohort
2020
Quantification of SV2A Binding in Rodent Brain Using [18F]SynVesT-1 and PET Imaging
Sadasivam P, Fang XT, Toyonaga T, Lee S, Xu Y, Zheng MQ, Spurrier J, Huang Y, Strittmatter SM, Carson RE, Cai Z. Quantification of SV2A Binding in Rodent Brain Using [18F]SynVesT-1 and PET Imaging. Molecular Imaging And Biology 2020, 23: 372-381. PMID: 33258040, PMCID: PMC8105262, DOI: 10.1007/s11307-020-01567-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBrain stemAlzheimer's diseaseMin postinjectionAnimal modelsAPP/PS1 miceReference regionStandardized uptake value ratioDynamic PET imaging dataUptake value ratioRodent brain tissueStatic PET scansDifferent imaging windowsPET imaging dataWild-type controlsReference tissue modelPS1 miceAD pathogenesisTherapeutic effectMouse modelRodent modelsLittermate controlsPET scansRodent brainPreclinical imaging studiesTherapeutic drug efficacyIn 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 correlatesSynthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of an 18F‑Labeled Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A PET Imaging Probe: [18F]SynVesT‑2
Cai Z, Li S, Zhang W, Pracitto R, Wu X, Baum E, Finnema SJ, Holden D, Toyonaga T, Lin SF, Lindemann M, Shirali A, Labaree DC, Ropchan J, Nabulsi N, Carson RE, Huang Y. Synthesis and Preclinical Evaluation of an 18F‑Labeled Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A PET Imaging Probe: [18F]SynVesT‑2. ACS Chemical Neuroscience 2020, 11: 592-603. PMID: 31961649, DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00618.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAlzheimer DiseaseAnimalsBrainEpilepsyHumansMembrane GlycoproteinsNerve Tissue ProteinsPrimatesSynaptic VesiclesConceptsPET imaging probeHigh specific binding signalsNon-human primate brainSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ATraumatic brain injuryPost-traumatic stress disorderMultiple sclerosisBrain injuryParkinson's diseasePreclinical evaluationSpecific binding signalsPrimate brainAlzheimer's diseaseNeuropsychiatric diseasesPresynaptic vesiclesStress disorderDiseaseImaging probeTransmembrane glycoproteinSclerosisPrognosisEpilepsyInjuryStrokeSV2APET 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
In Vivo Synaptic Density Imaging with 11C-UCB-J Detects Treatment Effects of Saracatinib in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease
Toyonaga T, Smith LM, Finnema SJ, Gallezot JD, Naganawa M, Bini J, Mulnix T, Cai Z, Ropchan J, Huang Y, Strittmatter SM, Carson RE. In Vivo Synaptic Density Imaging with 11C-UCB-J Detects Treatment Effects of Saracatinib in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2019, 60: 1780-1786. PMID: 31101744, PMCID: PMC6894376, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.118.223867.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAPP/PS1 micePS1 miceAlzheimer's diseaseWT miceSynaptic densityC-UCBDrug washoutTreatment effectsPresenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic miceHippocampal synaptic densityAPP/PS1Double transgenic miceEnd of treatmentWild-type miceAmyloid precursor proteinEarly Alzheimer's diseaseSignificant differencesSUVR-1New PET tracersMild cognitive impairmentAD miceSynaptic deficitsOral gavageAD treatmentHealthy subjects
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
2000
Opiate receptor avidity in the thalamus is sexually dimorphic in the elderly
Cohen R, Carson R, Sunderl T. Opiate receptor avidity in the thalamus is sexually dimorphic in the elderly. Synapse 2000, 38: 226-229. PMID: 11018796, DOI: 10.1002/1098-2396(200011)38:2<226::aid-syn13>3.0.co;2-#.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
1997
Multimodality Bayesian algorithm for image reconstruction in positron emission tomography: a tissue composition model
Sastry S, Carson RE. Multimodality Bayesian algorithm for image reconstruction in positron emission tomography: a tissue composition model. IEEE Transactions On Medical Imaging 1997, 16: 750-761. PMID: 9533576, DOI: 10.1109/42.650872.Peer-Reviewed Original Research