External imaging of cerebral muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.

A radioiodinated ligand that binds to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors was shown to distribute in the brain by a receptor-mediated process. With single-photon-emission imaging techniques, radioactivity was detected in the cerebrum but not in the cerebellum, whereas with a flow-limited radiotracer, radioactivity was detected in cerebrum and cerebellum. Single-photon-emission computed tomography showed good definition of the caudate putamen and cortex in man.

Uptake of the cation hexakis(2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile)-technetium-99m by human carcinoma cell lines in vitro.

Uptake of the cationic compound hexakis(2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile)-technetium-99m ([99mTc]MIBI) was examined in nine human tumor cell lines. The concentration of [99mTc]MIBI after a 1-h incubation with the compound varies from 5 to 28% of the activity in the external medium. In contrast, normal V79 cells (Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts) and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exhibit a minimal uptake of less than 2% of the activity in the medium. Kinetic experiments with SW-13 cells indicate a rapid uptake over time (t1/2 of 10 min) until a steady state is approached whose concentration appears directly correlated with the extracellular concentration of [99mTc]MIBI with no evidence of saturation over the range tested (10(-12)-10(-9) M). [99mTc]MIBI is taken up by a temperature dependent process that is restricted to living cells. Microautoradiography demonstrates that [99mTc]MIBI is clustered in the cytoplasm around the nucleus. Given that depolarizing the plasma membrane potential in high K+ buffer results in lowering the uptake of [99mTc]-MIBI and that alteration of the mitochondrial membrane potential with valinomycin or nigericin induces, respectively, a significant decrease or increase of [99mTc]MIBI uptake, we propose that the plasma and mitochondrial membrane potentials play a major role in the uptake. These data suggest that the gamma emitter [99mTc]MIBI exhibits interesting tumor cell interaction characteristics with promise for in vivo tumor imaging.

Right ventricular ejection fraction: an indicator of increased mortality in patients with congestive heart failure associated with coronary artery disease.

The predictive value of radionuclide ventriculography was studied in 34 patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (less than 40%) and clinically evident congestive heart failure secondary to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. In addition to left ventricular ejection fraction, right ventricular ejection fraction and extent of left ventricular paradox were obtained in an attempt to identify a subgroup at increased risk of mortality during the ensuing months. The 16 patients who were alive after a 2 year follow-up period had a higher right ventricular ejection fraction and less extensive left ventricular dyskinesia. When a right ventricular ejection fraction of less than 35% was used as a discriminant, mortality was significantly greater among the 21 patients with a depressed right ventricular ejection fraction (71 versus 23%), a finding confirmed by a life table analysis. Depressed right ventricular function was further linked to more severely compromised left ventricular function, as confirmed by a greater reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction and by an increased extent of left ventricular dyskinesia. These patients had a greater prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and previous inferior myocardial infarction but the differences between groups were not statistically significant. It appears that the multiple factors contributing to the reduction in right ventricular ejection fraction make it a useful index not only for assessing biventricular function, but also for predicting patient outcome.

Global and regional left ventricular ejection fraction abnormalities during exercise in patients with silent myocardial ischemia.

Sixteen asymptomatic patients with coronary artery disease and silent myocardial ischemia were studied with exercise radionuclide ventriculography. Radionuclide ventriculograms were analyzed for changes in ejection fraction globally and in three regions. Results were compared with radionuclide ventriculograms in 24 symptomatic patients. Both groups (silent myocardial ischemia and angina) were similar in prevalence of multivessel disease and previous myocardial infarction, as well as in age and sex. Global ejection fraction decreased by 0.06 in both groups during exercise; regional ejection fraction also decreased by similar amounts in the two groups. Furthermore, the percent of regions with normal ejection fraction at rest that demonstrated a decrease during exercise was identical: 19 (60%) of 33 versus 26 (60%) of 46. These exercise radionuclide ventriculographic results suggest that abnormalities in regional and global left ventricular wall motion are similar in patients with coronary artery disease with and without silent myocardial ischemia.

Prevention by nifedipine of cold pressor-induced decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction.

To examine the effects of nifedipine on changes in ventricular function produced by cold, the cold pressor test was administered to eight patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease. Radionuclide ventriculograms were obtained at baseline and during the cold pressor stimulus both before and after administration of nifedipine, 10 mg buccally; thus, four serial radionuclide ventriculograms were obtained per patient. The cold pressor stimulus did not produce any significant difference in the mean (+/- standard deviation) peak rate-pressure product during the control or nifedipine test (10,900 +/- 3,390 versus 10,600 +/- 3,700). However, the increase in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.05) and the peak systolic blood pressure achieved (p less than 0.001) were greater during the control (134 +/- 19 to 160 +/- 25 mm Hg) than during the nifedipine (125 +/- 18 to 145 +/- 21 mm Hg) cold pressor test. The mean global left ventricular ejection fraction decreased during the control cold pressor test from a baseline value of 0.60 +/- 0.08 to 0.52 +/- 0.08 (p = 0.004). After nifedipine, this variable did not change during the repeat cold pressor test (0.63 +/- 0.09) compared with the repeat baseline value (0.63 +/- 0.11). Therefore, the difference in left ventricular ejection fraction response during control versus nifedipine cold pressor testing was highly significant (p less than 0.0001). In patients with obstructive coronary artery disease, nifedipine abolished the decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction observed during the control cold pressor test and may be of value to protect patients from cold-induced left ventricular dysfunction. The mechanism may be a combination of coronary artery vasodilation and systolic unloading of the left ventricle.

Mechanisms of pulsus paradoxus during resistive respiratory loading and asthma.

To determine the mechanisms of pulsus paradoxus during asthma, six subjects known to have cold air bronchial hyperreactivity were studied while in a quiescent phase of their disease. All were free of significant airway obstruction at the time of study. After placement of an esophageal balloon to estimate intrathoracic pressure, the subjects were assessed during quiet breathing, resistive airway loading and then during a stable period of airway obstruction induced by cold air. Steady state left ventricular volume and performance were measured using radionuclide ventriculography; right ventricular volume was calculated from the stroke volume ratio and right ventricular ejection fraction. Cardiac cycles were segregated according to their occurrence in inspiration or expiration using a flow signal from a pneumotachograph. Combined inspiratory and expiratory resistance produced pulsus paradoxus and changes in esophageal pressure that were similar to those during asthma and significantly greater than those during quiet breathing. These changes were accompanied by decreases in left ventricular diastolic volume and stroke volume during inspiration, and increases in these variables during expiration; right ventricular volume and stroke volume demonstrated changes reciprocal to those seen in the left ventricle. These data indicate that during periods of increase in airway resistance, abnormal pulsus paradoxus results from an exaggeration in the normal inspiratory-expiratory difference in stroke volume mediated primarily by the effects of intrathoracic pressure on ventricular preload.

Iofetamine I 123 single photon emission computed tomography is accurate in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of iofetamine hydrochloride I 123 (IMP) with single photon emission computed tomography in Alzheimer's disease, we studied 58 patients with AD and 15 age-matched healthy control subjects. We used a qualitative method to assess regional IMP uptake in the entire brain and to rate image data sets as normal or abnormal without knowledge of subjects'clinical classification. The sensitivity and specificity of IMP with single photon emission computed tomography in AD were 88% and 87%, respectively. In 15 patients with mild cognitive deficits (Blessed Dementia Scale score, less than or equal to 10), sensitivity was 80%. With the use of a semiquantitative measure of regional cortical IMP uptake, the parietal lobes were the most functionally impaired in AD and the most strongly associated with the patients' Blessed Dementia Scale scores. These results indicated that IMP with single photon emission computed tomography may be a useful adjunct in the clinical diagnosis of AD in early, mild disease.

Cerebral perfusion imaging in Alzheimer's disease. Use of single photon emission computed tomography and iofetamine hydrochloride I 123.

We used single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to study 15 patients with Alzheimer's disease and nine controls. Iofetamine hydrochloride I 123 uptake data were recorded from the entire brain using a rotating gamma camera. Activity ratios were measured for the frontal, posterior parietal, posterior, medial, and lateral cortical temporal regions and striate cortex and were normalized by the activity in the cerebellum. Abnormalities in iofetamine hydrochloride I 123 activity were similar to the abnormalities in glucose metabolism observed with positron emission tomography. Cortical tracer activity was globally depressed in patients with Alzheimer's disease, with the greatest reduction in the posterior parietal cortex.

Single photon emission computed tomography in Alzheimer's disease. Abnormal iofetamine I 123 uptake reflects dementia severity.

To determine whether abnormalities in regional cerebral functional activity estimated by iofetamine hydrochloride I 123 and single photon emission computed tomography can be detected in mild or moderate as well as severe cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD), we performed iofetamine I 123-single photon emission computed tomography in 37 patients with probable AD (nine patients with mild, 18 patients with moderate, and ten patients with severe dementia) and nine age-matched control subjects. Iofetamine I 123 uptake was measured in right and left frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices. Mean (right and left) iofetamine I 123 activity was lowest in the parietal region of patients with AD and was significantly reduced in the other three regions compared with control subjects. Only in the parietal region was lower relative iofetamine I 123 activity associated with an impaired level of patient function and with cognitive deficit.

Increased iofetamine I 123 brain uptake in metastatic melanoma.

Four of five patients with brain metastases from melanoma had increased lofetamine I 123 uptake in the region of the tumor deposits. A comparison group of five patients with melanoma with no clinical or radiologic evidence of brain involvement and 46 of 47 patients without malignant melanoma but with known brain tumors of other histologic types had normal or decreased iofetamine I 123 brain uptake in the region of the tumor. An exception was one patient whose metastatic small cell lung cancer to the brain showed focally increased uptake. These findings suggest that certain brain tumors such as melanoma are capable of selectively binding iofetamine I 123 because of specific chemical properties of the radiopharmaceutical. Increased uptake of iofetamine I 123 in brain lesions in a patient at risk for metastatic melanoma may be a useful aid to differential diagnosis.

Cerebral perfusion imaging with iodine 123-labeled amines.

Two amines, N-isopropyl p-iodoamphetamine and N,N,N'-trimethyl-N'-[2-hydroxyl-3-methyl-5-iodobenzyl]-1,3-prop anediamine, have been labeled with iodine 123. The brain uptake of these radioactive tracers is proportional to cerebral blood flow. These tracers are retained in the brain for a sufficiently long time so that imaging can be performed with standard, readily available instrumentation. Transaxial tomography with amines is useful in acute cerebral infarction, in which the x-ray computed tomographic scan may be normal for several days after onset of symptoms while the uptake of radioisotope-labeled amines will be altered immediately after the onset of the stroke. It is also useful in examining patients with cerebral vascular disease and in the preoperative examination of patients with partial epilepsy.

Brain single-photon emission computed tomography.

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) provides cost-effective information on regional cerebral perfusion and, indirectly, on regional cerebral metabolism. Its ease of use facilitates the application of SPECT in clinical neurology. SPECT is emerging as a useful tool for the management of patients with stroke, epilepsy, recurrent brain neoplasms, and some forms of dementia. The applications being investigated, such as in vivo receptor labeling for benzodiazepines, serotonin, dopamine, and muscarinic receptors, may expand the clinical usefulness of this technique in the future.

Preclinical prediction of Alzheimer's disease using SPECT.

BACKGROUND: Regional cerebral perfusion measured by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was examined as a preclinical predictor of the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Singular value decomposition was used to produce 20 SPECT factors (known as vectors) (n=152). Vector scores were then computed for four groups (n=136), differing in cognitive status: Group 1--normal controls at both baseline and follow-up; Group 2--subjects with "questionable" AD at both baseline and follow-up; Group 3--subjects with questionable AD at baseline who converted to AD on follow-up (Converters); Group 4--subjects with AD at baseline. All SPECT data in the analyses were gathered at baseline. RESULTS: The four groups could be distinguished on the basis of their baseline SPECT data (p < or = 0.00005; hit rate=83%). Regional decreases in perfusion were most prominent among Converters in the hippocampal-amygdaloid complex, the posterior cingulate, the anterior thalamus, and the anterior cingulate. Inclusion of apolipoprotein E status did not significantly improve the discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: SPECT data gathered and analyzed in this manner may be useful as one aspect of the preclinical prediction of AD. Three of the four brain regions important for discriminating Converters from normal controls involve a distributed brain network pertaining to memory, suggesting that this network may be selectively affected in the earliest stages of AD.

Reversible cerebral hypoperfusion in Lyme encephalopathy.

Lyme encephalopathy (LE) presents with subtle neuropsychiatric symptoms months to years after onset of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Brain magnetic resonance images are usually normal. We asked whether quantitative single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a useful method to diagnose LE, to measure the response to antibiotic therapy, and to determine its neuroanatomic basis. In 13 patients with objective evidence of LE, SPECT demonstrated reduced cerebral perfusion (mean perfusion defect index [PDI] = 255), particularly in frontal subcortical and cortical regions. Six months after treatment with 1 month of intravenous ceftriaxone, perfusion significantly improved in all 13 patients (mean PDI = 188). In nine patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms following Lyme disease, but without objective abnormalities (e.g., possible LE), perfusion was similar to that of the treated LE group (mean PDI = 198); six possible LE patients (67%) had already received ceftriaxone prior to our evaluation. Perfusion was significantly lower in patients with LE and possible LE than in 26 normal subjects (mean PDI = 136), but 4 normal subjects (15%) had low perfusion in the LE range. We conclude that LE patients have hypoperfusion of frontal subcortical and cortical structures that is partially reversed after ceftriaxone therapy. However, SPECT cannot be used alone to diagnose LE or determine the presence of active CNS infection.

Normal results of post-race thallium-201 myocardial perfusion imaging in marathon runners with elevated serum MB creatine kinase levels.

Elevated cardiac enzyme values in asymptomatic marathon runners after competition can arise from skeletal muscle through exertional rhabdomyolysis, silent injury to the myocardium, or a combined tissue source. Peak post-race levels of the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase are similar to values in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Previously reported normal results of infarct-avid myocardial scintigraphy with technetium 99m pyrophosphate in runners after competition suggest a non-cardiac source but cannot exclude silent injury to the myocardium. Therefore, thallium 201 myocardial perfusion imaging was performed in runners immediately after competition together with determination of sequential cardiac enzyme levels. Among 15 runners tested, the average peak in serum MB creatine kinase 24 hours after the race was 128 IU/liter with a cumulative MB creatine kinase release of 117 IU/liter; these values are comparable to those in patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction. Thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphic results were normal in five runners randomly selected from those who volunteered for determination of sequential blood levels. Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes showed only a peripheral pattern of release. It is concluded that elevations of serum MB creatine kinase in marathon runners arise from a skeletal muscle source and that thallium 201 myocardial scintigraphy is useful to assess runners for myocardial injury when clinical questions arise.

Improved right ventricular function and reduced pulmonary vascular resistance during prazosin therapy of congestive heart failure.

Although the effect of systemic vasodilator therapy on left ventricular function in congestive heart failure has been extensively evaluated, little is known about its effect on pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular function. Since pulmonary vascular resistance is mediated in part by alpha-adrenergic receptors, we studied the effects of the alpha-adrenergic antagonist prazosin on right ventricular function as determined by a radionuclide ventriculographic technique which assessed right and left ventricular ejection fractions simultaneously. In 11 patients treated for two months with prazosin, right ventricular ejection fraction increased from 0.28 +/- 0.04 to 0.44 +/- 0.07 (p less than 0.01). In 10 patients who received a single dose of prazosin 48 hours after withdrawal of prior prazosin therapy, right ventricular ejection fraction increased from 0.29 to 0.05 to 0.38 +/- 0.06 (p less than 0.02). In nine patients who received a single dose of prazosin during right sided heart catheterization, pulmonary vascular resistance decreased from 358 +/- 70 to 236 +/- 60 dyne-sec-cm -5 (p less than 0.01). These studies suggest that prazosin has beneficial effects on right ventricular function both immediately and long-term in patients with severe congestive heart failure. Although the mechanism of this effect is not known, possibilities include a direct effect of prazosin on the pulmonary vasculature, a secondary reduction in right ventricular afterload due to improved left ventricular performance and a withdrawal of reflex-mediated pulmonary vasoconstriction due to improved left ventricular performance.

Functional imaging in treatment planning of brain lesions.

PURPOSE: Explore the use of functional imaging data in radiation treatment planning of brain lesions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Compare the treatment-planning process with and without the use of functional brain imaging for clinical cases where functional studies using either single photon emission computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are available. RESULTS: A method to register functional image data with planning image studies is needed for functional treatment planning. Functional volumes are not simply connected regions. One activation study may produce many isolated functional areas. After finding the functional volumes and registering the functional information with the planning imaging data, the tools used for conventional three-dimensional treatment planning are sufficient for functional treatment planning. However, the planning system must provide dose-volume histograms for volumes of interest that consist of isolated pieces. Treatment plans that spare functional brain while providing identical target coverage can be constructed for lesions situated near the functional volume. However, the dose to other areas of the brain may be increased. CONCLUSIONS: Functional imaging will make determination of dose response of eloquent areas of the brain possible when combined with volumetric dose information and neuropsychological evaluation prior to and after radiation therapy. Realizing the full potential of functional imaging studies will require improved delineation of activated volumes and determination of the uncertainties in functional volume delineation. Optimization of treatment plans by minimizing dose to volumes activated during functional imaging studies should be used cautiously, because the dose to "silent," but possibly eloquent, brain may be increased.

Synthesis and biologic distribution of radioiodinated beta-adrenergic antagonists.

Iodinated analogues 2, 7, and 8 were prepared from propranolol, practolol, and acebutolol in 30--50% yields. Radioisotopic exchange between carrier-free Na125I and the molten iodinated beta-adrenergic antagonist yielded the corresponding 125I-labeled product. The biodistribution in rats, determined at 15 and 60 min postinjection, indicated that the radioiodinated analogues of the cardioselective drugs practolol and acebutolol localized to a greater degree in the liver and heart than the analogue of propranolol. Conversely, [125I]iodopropranolol (2) was concentrated to a greater extent in the lungs than [125I]iodopractolol (7) or [125I]iodoacebutolol (8). Therefore, 123I- or 131I-labeled cardioselective beta-adrenergic antagonists, such as 7 or 8, may prove useful as radiodiagnostic agents for the external imaging of the myocardium.

A technetium-99m SPECT imaging agent which targets the dopamine transporter in primate brain.

The dopamine transporter (DAT), located presynaptically on dopamine neurons, provides a marker for certain neurological diseases. In particular, the DAT is depleted in Parkinson's disease, and the extent of depletion correlates with the loss of dopamine. Herein we describe the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of technepine, the first 99mTc-labeled SPECT imaging agent which targets the dopamine transporter in striatum. We have demonstrated that the DAT can accommodate a chelating unit attached to the 8-amine function of a tropane skeleton. Further, we have demonstrated for the first time that a molecule can be designed to carry the radionuclide 99mTc across the blood-brain barrier in sufficient quantity to obtain in vivo images of the striatum in monkeys. This advance will undoubtedly lead to the design of new receptor and transporter-mediated 99mTc agents which can label specific transporter and receptor targets in the central nervous system.

Radionuclide assessment of Gaucher's disease.

Gaucher's disease involves multiple organs and may present with variable severity. The scintigraphic appearance of the reticuloendothelial system and bone are described in three patient's with Gaucher's disease. Scintigraphic abnormalities reflected the severity of organ involvement and correlated well with the patients' clinical status. Scintigraphy appears useful for the evaluation and followup of patients with Gaucher's disease.