Relationship of amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tau deposition in Neurodegeneration in Aging Down Syndrome (NiAD) study at baseline.

IMPORTANCE: Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at high-risk of revealing Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, in part due to the triplication of chromosome 21 encoding the amyloid precursor protein. Adults with DS are uniformly affected by AD pathology by their 30's and have a 70% to 80% chance of clinical dementia by their 60's. Our previous studies have assessed longitudinal changes in amyloid beta (Aß) accumulation in DS. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to assess the presence of brain tau using [18F]AV-1451 positron emission tomography (PET) in DS and to assess the relationship of brain tau pathology to Aß using Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB)-PET. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Multi-center study. PARTICIPANTS: Participants consisted of a sample of individuals with DS and sibling controls recruited from the community; exclusion criteria included contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or a medical or psychiatric condition that impaired cognitive functioning. EXPOSURES: PET brain scans to assess Aß ([11C]PiB) and tau ([18F]AV-1451) burden. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Multiple linear regression models (adjusted for chronological age, sex and performance site) were used to examine associations between regional [18F]AV-1451 standard uptake value ratio (SUVR) (based on regions associated with Braak stages 1-6) and global [11C]PiB SUVR (as both a continuous and dichotomous variable). RESULTS: A cohort of 156 participants (mean age = 39.05, SD(8.4)) were examined. These results revealed a significant relationship between in vivo Aß and tau pathology in DS. As a dichotomous variable, [18F]AV-1451 retention was higher in each Braak region in PiB(+) participants. We also found, based on our statistical models, starting with the Braak 3 region of interest (ROI), an acceleration of [18F]AV-1451 SUVR deposition with [11C]PiB SUVR increases.

An efficient synthesis of dopamine transporter tracer [¹8F]FECNT.

A simple synthesis of the dopamine transporter ligand [(18)F]FECNT with high radiochemical yield and short synthesis time, suitable for routine production is reported. Reaction of 2ß-carbomethoxy-3ß-(4-chlorophenyl)nortropane with [(18)F]2-fluoroethyl triflate ([(18)F]FEtOTf) at room temperature for 4 min provided [(18)F]FECNT in 84% decay corrected radiochemical yield. Since [(18)F]FEtOTf was prepared from [(18)F]2-fluoroethyl bromide that was isolated from its starting material, formation of unwanted side products and the amount of expensive precursor used could be greatly reduced. The overall radiochemical yields of [(18)F]FECNT were 40% (n=29) and the total synthesis time was ca. 100 min. The average specific activity of [(18)F]FECNT was 377.4 GBq/µmol (10.2 Ci/µmol).

Specific α4ß2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding of [F-18]nifene in the rhesus monkey.

OBJECTIVE: [F-18]Nifene is a PET radioligand developed to image α4ß2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in the brain. This work assesses the in vivo binding and imaging characteristics of [F-18]nifene in rhesus monkeys for the development of PET experiments examining nAChR binding. METHODS: Dynamic PET imaging experiments with [F-18]nifene were acquired in four anesthetized Macaca mulatta (rhesus) monkeys using a microPET P4 scanner. Data acquisition was initiated with a bolus injection of 109 ± 17 MBq [F-18]nifene and the time course of the radioligand in the brain was measured for up to 120 min. For two experiments, a displacement dose of (-)nicotine (0.03 mg kg(-1) , i.v.) was given 45-60 min post injection and followed 30 min later with a second [F-18]nifene injection to measure radioligand nondisplaceable uptake. Time activity curves were extracted in the regions of the antereoventral thalamus (AVT), lateral geniculate nucleus region (LGN), frontal cortex, and the cerebellum (CB). RESULTS: The highest levels of [F-18]nifene uptake were observed in the AVT and LGN. Target-to-CB ratios reached maximum values of 3.3 ± 0.4 in the AVT and 3.2 ± 0.3 in the LGN 30-45 min postinjection. Significant binding of [F-18]nifene was observed in the subiculum, insula cortex, temporal cortex, cingulate gyrus, frontal cortex, striatum, and midbrain areas. The (-)nicotine displaced bound [F-18]nifene to near background levels within 15 min postdrug injection. No discernable displacement was observed in the CB, suggesting its potential as a reference region. Logan graphical estimates using the CB as a reference region yielded binding potentials of 1.6 ± 0.2 in the AVT and 1.3 ± 0.1 in the LGN. The postnicotine injection displayed uniform nondisplaceable uptake of [F-18]nifene throughout gray and white brain matter. CONCLUSIONS: [F-18]Nifene exhibits rapid equilibration and a moderately high target to background binding profile in the α4ß2* nAChR rich regions of the brain, thus providing favorable imaging characteristics as a PET radiotracer for nAChR assay.

In vivo kinetics of [F-18]MEFWAY: a comparison with [C-11]WAY100635 and [F-18]MPPF in the nonhuman primate.

UNLABELLED: [F-18]Mefway was developed to provide an F-18 labeled positron emission tomography (PET) neuroligand with high affinity for the serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptor to improve the in vivo assessment of the 5-HT(1A) system. The goal of this work was to compare the in vivo kinetics of [F-18]mefway, [F-18]MPPF, and [C-11]WAY100635 in the rhesus monkey. METHODS: Each of four monkeys were given bolus injections of [F-18]mefway, [C-11]WAY100635, and [F-18]MPPF and scans were acquired with a microPET P4 scanner. Arterial blood was sampled to assay parent compound throughout the time course of the PET experiment. Time activity curves were extracted in the high 5-HT(1A) binding areas of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACG), mesial temporal cortex, raphe nuclei, and insula cortex. Time activity curves were also extracted in the cerebellum, which was used as a reference region. The in vivo kinetics of the radiotracers were compared based on the nondisplaceable distribution volume (V(ND) ) and binding potential (BP(ND) ). RESULTS: At 30 min, the fraction of radioactivity in the plasma due to parent compound was 19%, 28%, and 29% and cleared from the arterial plasma at rates of 0.0031, 0.0078, and 0.0069 (min⁻¹) ([F-18]mefway, [F-18]MPPF, [C-11]WAY100635). The BP(ND) in the brain regions were mesial temporal cortex: 7.4 ± 0.6, 3.1 ± 0.4, 7.0 ± 1.2, ACG: 7.2 ± 1.2, 2.1 ± 0.2, 7.9 ± 1.2; raphe nuclei: 3.7 ± 0.6, 1.3 ± 0.3, 3.3 ± 0.7; and insula cortex: 4.2 ± 0.6, 1.2 ± 0.1, 4.7 ± 1.0 for [F-18]mefway, [F-18]MPPF, and [C-11]WAY100635 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the rhesus monkey, [F-18]mefway has similar in vivo kinetics to [C-11]WAY100635 and yields greater than 2-fold higher BP(ND) than [F-18]MPPF. These properties make [F-18]mefway a promising radiotracer for 5-HT(1A) assay, providing higher counting statistics and a greater dynamic range in BP(ND).

Serotonin transporter binding and genotype in the nonhuman primate brain using [C-11]DASB PET.

UNLABELLED: The length polymorphism of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter gene promoter region has been implicated in altered 5-HT function and, in turn, neuropsychiatric illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. The nonhuman primate has been used as a model to study anxiety-related mechanisms in humans based upon similarities in behavior and the presence of a similar 5-HT transporter gene polymorphism. Stressful and threatening contexts in the nonhuman primate model have revealed 5-HT transporter genotype dependent differences in regional glucose metabolism. Using the rhesus monkey, we examined the extent to which serotonin transporter genotype is associated with 5-HT transporter binding in brain regions implicated in emotion-related pathology. METHODS: Genotype data and high resolution PET scans were acquired in 29 rhesus (Macaca mulatta) monkeys. [C-11]DASB dynamic PET scans were acquired for 90 min in the anesthetized animals and images of distribution volume ratio (DVR) were created to serve as a metric of 5-HT transporter binding for group comparison based on a reference region method of analysis. Regional and voxelwise statistical analysis were performed with corrections for anatomical differences in gray matter probability, sex, age and radioligand mass. RESULTS: There were no significant differences when comparing l/l homozygotes with s-carriers in the regions of the brain implicated in anxiety and mood related illnesses (amygdala, striatum, thalamus, raphe nuclei, temporal and prefrontal cortex). There was a significant sex difference in 5-HT transporter binding in all regions with females having 18%-28% higher DVR than males. CONCLUSIONS: Because these findings are consistent with similar genotype findings in humans, this further strengthens the use of the rhesus model for studying anxiety-related neuropathologies.

Sustainable production of orphan radionuclides at Wisconsin.

Over a hundred proton-induced reactions have been studied at the University of Wisconsin Medical Physics department since the installation of the first CTI RDS 112 in 1985. The focus has been to measure thick target yields at 11 MeV, in an effort to concentrate on the practical production of positron emitting radionuclides that have favorable decay characteristics, high yields and the potential for labeling pivotal biological tracers. This review covers our recent advances to scale-up the production of the heavy halogens and transition metals as feed-stock for non-conventional PET tracers that are currently attracting increased attention in oncology.

Altered mesolimbocortical and thalamic dopamine in Tourette syndrome.

We used [F-18]fallypride PET in six adults with Tourette syndrome and age-matched controls to assess extrastriatal dopamine 2 (D2) receptors. D2 receptor availability was significantly lower in the orbitofrontal cortex, primary motor cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, mediodorsal nucleus of thalamus, and hippocampus, areas important for motivation and reward, sensory gating, movement, and attention. Altered dopaminergic function in mesolimbocortical systems and thalamus may contribute to increased motivational salience of tics.

Evaluation of dopamine D-2 receptor occupancy by clozapine, risperidone, and haloperidol in vivo in the rodent and nonhuman primate brain using 18F-fallypride.

We have used the high-affinity dopamine D-2 receptor radioligand, 18F-fallypride for evaluating receptor occupancy by the antipsychotic drugs, clozapine, risperidone, and haloperidol in rodents and nonhuman primates. In rodents, clozapine (0.1 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg) competed with 18F-fallypride at all the doses administered. At doses over 40 mg/kg, clozapine was able to displace all the administered 18F-fallypride. A pseudobiphasic profile of receptor occupancy by clozapine was observed. This behavior was compared with such other neuroleptics as risperidone and haloperidol that exhibited over 90% receptor occupancy at doses over 0.1 mg/kg and did not exhibit a biphasic nature. Dopamine D-2 receptor occupancy in the monkeys was studied using positron emission tomography (PET) after acute subcutaneous doses of the various drugs. At therapeutically relevant doses, clozapine, risperidone, and haloperidol were able to compete significantly with the binding of 18F-fallypride in all brain regions in rhesus monkeys, and our analyses indicate that these drugs (clozapine, risperidone, and haloperidol) do not discriminate between the striatal (caudate and putamen) and the extrastriatal (thalamus and cortical regions) dopamine receptors. The following extent of D-2 receptor occupancies were measured in the monkey brain using PET: clozapine approximately 70% (dose of 9.7 mg/kg), risperidone approximately 75% (0.05 mg/kg), and haloperidol approximately 90% (0.05 mg/kg).

Quantitation of striatal and extrastriatal D-2 dopamine receptors using PET imaging of [(18)F]fallypride in nonhuman primates.

[(18)F]Fallypride is a highly selective, high-affinity dopamine D-2 receptor ligand. The high affinity, K(D) = 30 pM, makes it a suitable candidate for visualizing both striatal and extrastriatal binding in the brain. In this work, dynamic PET studies of two macaque monkeys were acquired along with arterial plasma samples. Compartmental analysis and Logan plots were used to analyze the striatum, thalamus, frontal, and temporal cortices and to validate a reference region of analysis which yields a distribution volume ratio (DVR). The cerebellum was used as the reference region. The results indicate that all methods of analysis are in close agreement over all the analyzed regions in the brain. The average DVRs for the two monkeys was found to be: caudate = 26, putamen = 29, thalamus = 3.8, frontal ctx = 1.7, and temporal ctx = 1.7 on a high-resolution PET scanner. It was found that a scan time of 2 h is needed to accurately estimate the DVR for all regions of the brain. The striatal regions require the longest to linearize and are the most sensitive to variations in the average tissue-to-plasma efflux constant, k(2). For the extrastriatal regions, the effect of the k(2) term on DVR calculation is negligible. Repeatability measurements for all regions were found to be within 10% using the DVR parameter.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the binding of the dopamine D2 receptor agonist (11)C-(R,S)-5-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin in rodents and nonhuman primate.

The in vitro autoradiographic binding characteristics as well as in vivo imaging characteristics of a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, (R, S)-2-(N-propyl-N-1'-(11)C-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin ((11)C-5-OH-DPAT), were studied. In (3)H-spiperone assays using rat striata, 5-OH-DPAT exhibited an affinity of IC(50) = 2.5 nM. In vitro autoradiographs in rat brain slices with (11)C-5-OH-DPAT revealed selective binding to the dopaminergic regions in the striata which was displaceable by sulpiride. Varying concentrations of dopamine displaced this selective binding of (11)C-5-OH-DPAT to the striata in rat brain slices. This selective binding to the striata was also removed in the presence of the GTP analog, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate, indicative of the binding of (11)C-5-OH-DPAT to the high-affinity state of the D2 receptor. Ex vivo autoradiographic study in rats exhibited selective binding of (11)C-5-OH-DPAT to the striata. A PET study in a rhesus monkey showed selective localization of (11)C-5-OH-DPAT in the striata and the ratio between striata and cerebellum approached approximately 2 at 40 min postinjection.

Radiosynthesis and in vitro evaluation of 2-(N-alkyl-N-1'-11C-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin analogs as high affinity agonists for dopamine D-2 receptors.

We have developed radiotracers based on agonists that may potentially allow the in vivo assessment of the high affinity (HA) state of the dopamine D-2 receptors. The population of HA state, which is likely the functional state of the receptor, may be altered in certain diseases. We carried out radiosyntheses and evaluated the binding affinities, lipophilicity, and in vitro autoradiographic binding characteristics of three dopamine D-2 receptor agonists: (+/-)-2-(N,N-dipropyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (5-OH-DPAT), (+/-)-2-(N-phenethyl-N-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (PPHT), and (+/-)-2-(N-cyclohexylethyl-N-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (ZYY-339). In 3H-spiperone assays using rat striata, ZYY-339 exhibited subnanomolar affinity for D-2 receptor sites (IC50 = 0.010 nM), PPHT was somewhat weaker (IC50 = 0.65 nM), and 5-OH-DPAT exhibited the weakest affinity (IC50 = 2.5 nM) of the three compounds. Radiosynthesis of these derivatives, 2-(N-propyl-N-1'-11C-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (11C-5-OH-DPAT), 2-(N-phenethyl-N-1'-11C-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (11C-PPHT), and 2-(N-cyclohexylethyl-N-1'-11C-propyl)amino-5-hydroxytetralin (11C-ZYY-339) was achieved by first synthesizing 11C-1-propionyl chloride and subsequent coupling with the appropriate secondary amine precursor to form the respective amide, which was then reduced to provide the desired tertiary amine products. The final products were obtained by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification in radiochemical yields of 5-10% after 60-75 min from the end of 11CO2 trapping and with specific activities in the range of 250-1,000 Ci/mmol. In vitro autoradiographs in rat brain slices with 11C-5-OH-DPAT, 11C-PPHT, and 11C-ZYY-339 revealed selective binding of the three radiotracers to the dopamine D-2 receptors in the striata.

Positron emission tomographic analysis of central dopamine D1 receptor binding in normal subjects treated with the atypical neuroleptic, SDZ MAR 327.

SDZ MAR 327 is a new neuroleptic agent with high in vitro affinity for dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of time after SDZ MAR 327 administration on central dopamine D1 receptor occupancy in healthy humans. Positron emission tomography (PET) with the dopamine D1 receptor ligand, [11C] SCH 23390, was performed in 6 male volunteers (age 22-34), in both the drug naive state and at 1, 2 and 4 h after a single oral dose of SDZ MAR 327 (9 mg). The pre and post drug treatment [11C] SCH 23390 dynamic data were analyzed using two different methods, each yielding a parameter proportional to the receptor density: i) a simple regional comparison approximating the specifically bound to free fraction, B/F; and ii) a two compartment, two parameter model yielding the apparent distribution volume DV". With both methods, a metabolite corrected arterial input function was used and the vascular fraction of tissue (Vb) was fixed at a previously determined value of 4%. Method I served as a qualitative comparison of the paired studies and demonstrated little difference between the pre and post drug conditions, method II also confirmed that there was no significant change in binding of [11C] SCH 23390 in the striatum. These data indicate that SDZ MAR 327 produces little if any effect on dopamine D1 receptor binding at the dose used.

Digital tomosynthesis in breast imaging.

PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate a method of tomosynthesis breast imaging with a full-field digital mammographic system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this tomosynthesis method, low-radiation-dose images were acquired as the x-ray source was moved in an arc above the stationary breast and digital detector. A step-and-expose method of imaging was used. Breast tomosynthesis and conventional images of two imaging phantoms and four mastectomy specimens were obtained. Three experienced readers scored the relative lesion visibility, lesion margin visibility, and confidence in the classification of six lesions. RESULTS: Tomosynthesis image-reconstruction algorithms allow tomographic imaging of the entire breast from a single arc of the x-ray source and at a radiation dose comparable with that in single-view mammography. Except for images of a large mass in a fatty breast, the tomosynthesis images were superior to the conventional images. CONCLUSION: Digital mammographic systems make breast tomosynthesis possible. Tomosynthesis may improve the specificity of mammography with improved lesion margin visibility and may improve early breast cancer detection, especially in women with radiographically dense breasts.

Quantification of dopamine transporter density in monkeys by dynamic PET imaging of multiple injections of 11C-CFT.

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by loss of dopaminergic terminals in the basal ganglia. The cocaine analog, CFT (WIN 35,428), has been shown to bind selectively to the pre-synaptic dopamine transporters and thus represents an important probe for monitoring disease progression. In this study, we evaluated [11C] labeled CFT as a PET ligand for the quantitative in vivo assay of dopamine transporter density in three normal rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). One of the animals was studied after treatment with the neurotoxin, MPTP. Simulation studies demonstrated that a three injection protocol is necessary for quantitation of dopamine transporter density. The protocol consists of an initial high specific activity injection, a low specific activity "displacement dose" at 30 min, and a final high specific activity injection at approximately 90 min. Dynamic PET imaging and arterial blood sampling were started immediately before the first injection and continued for 2 h. Blood data were corrected for [11C] labeled CFT metabolites. Compartmental models describing the dynamics of labeled and the unlabeled ligand explicitly were fitted to the PET and metabolite corrected blood data. Prior to MPTP treatment, modeling of the striatal data required a saturable receptor term and yielded mean estimates of: B'max = 113 pmol/g and KD = 33 nm (n = 3). These values for B'max are in reasonable agreement with published values for [3H] CFT binding in vitro. After multiple treatments with MPTP (0.6 mg/kg x 3), B'max in one of the animals was reduced from 122 to 10.2 pmol/g. KD was relatively unaffected by MPTP treatment. These data provide additional basis for the use of [11C] CFT in monitoring the progression of Parkinson's disease and other conditions that are associated with the loss of dopaminergic nerve terminals.

Evaluation of cerebral pharmacokinetics of the novel antidepressant drug, BMS-181101, by positron emission tomography.

BMS-181101 is a novel antidepressant drug that is currently under clinical investigation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and receptor binding of this agent in the brains of healthy human volunteers. BMS-181101 was radiolabeled with 11C by methylation with [11C]CH3I of the 5-hydroxypiperazine precursor and the product was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Cerebral pharmacokinetics of [11C]BMS-181101 were studied by dynamic positron emission tomography imaging in six healthy volunteers. Two studies were performed in each subject. For the first study the subject was injected with 10 mCl of high specific activity [11C]BMS-181101 (approximately 1700 mCi/mumol) and serial positron emission tomography images and arterial blood samples were collected over 90 min. Thirty minutes after acquiring the final image, each subject was coinjected with a second dose, 10 mCi of [11C]BMS-181101 plus 3 mg of unlabeled drug (final specific activity approximately 1.5 mCi/mumol), and imaging/blood collection was repeated. The data were analyzed by calculating regional tracer accumulation (percent injected dose/g) at 60 min after injection and compartmental modeling. Measurements of percent injected dose/g yielded similar values for all brain regions, independent of specific activity. Kinetic modeling of time activity curves for cerebellum, caudate, putamen, thalamus, pons and temporal, occipital and frontal cortex demonstrated that tissue distribution can be described by a simple two-compartment flow model. Statistical comparisons of the apparent distribution volumes for each region failed to reveal significant differences between the high and low specific activity studies. These results indicate that the central nervous system distribution of [11C]BMS-181101 is dominated by blood flow and significant receptor-specific localization does not occur in any brain region.

Quantitative PET with positron emitters that emit prompt gamma rays.

The purpose of this work was to determine the feasibility of using positron emitting isotopes that emit prompt gammas to acquire quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) data using standard PET instrumentation. Prompt gammas can contaminate PET data by increasing dead time, converting singles into invalid coincidences, and producing multiple coincidences which can lead to the replacement of valid coincidences by invalid coincidences. The measurements in this work were made by scanning point sources containing F-18, Na-22, and Co-60 and studying the effects of the prompt gammas on the PET data, We found that for the Na-22 point source, the annihilation photon coincidence rate was about 25 times the prompt gamma-annihilation photon coincidence rate in the entire active volume of the scanner. With scatter, the Na-22 prompt gamma-annihilation photon coincidence rate was 1.3 times higher than the F-18 scatter coincidence rate. The most significant effect of the prompt gamma was to increase dead time; the dead time correction factor for Cu-60 was 2.4 times higher than the correction factor for N-13 for the same source activity. We conclude that, in many cases, quantitative PET data can be readily obtained with isotopes that emit prompt gammas, using standard PET 2-D instrumentation. However there are some cases, such as 3-D PET, where prompt gammas could significantly contaminate the PET data.

Technetium 94m-labeled methoxyisobutyl isonitrile: dosimetry and resting cardiac imaging with positron emission tomography.

BACKGROUND: Development of a positron-emitting form of technetium has allowed the imaging of technetium radiopharmaceuticals with positron emission tomography (PET). We used 94mTc to compare the distribution of the myocardial perfusion agent sestamibi at rest with the conventional PET perfusion tracer 13N-labeled ammonia (13N-ammonia). METHODS AND RESULTS: Dosimetry calculations were performed with the known whole-body distribution of 99mTc-labeled sestamibi. Dynamic PET imaging of 13N-ammonia and 94mTc-labeled sestamibi (94mTc-sestamibi) for 32 minutes was performed in eight patients with previous myocardial infarction. Initial myocardial and extramyocardial distribution of 94mTc-sestamibi was compared with that of 13N-ammonia by qualitative and quantitative analysis. Quantitative comparison of the two tracers was performed with region-of-interest analysis and circumferential profiles. Qualitatively, the cardiac distribution of the tracers was similar in normal and infarcted myocardium. A decrease in the definition of the epicardial and endocardial borders of the heart was seen with 94mTc-sestamibi, presumably because of the lower dose of radionuclide injected. Quantitatively, there was no difference in infarct size, defined prospectively as tracer activity less than 20% of maximum activity for the section, between the two tracers. Circumferential profile analysis with 12-degree radial sections similarly demonstrated no difference in regional cardiac distribution of the tracers. CONCLUSIONS: These results revealed no significant difference in myocardial uptake compared with 13N-ammonia suggesting that the myocardial uptake of sestamibi correlates with that of myocardial perfusion.

Technetium-94m-teboroxime: synthesis, dosimetry and initial PET imaging studies.

Technetium-94m (T1/2 = 53 min) allows the in vivo study of technetium radiopharmaceuticals with positron emission tomography (PET). PET provides a quantitative assay of radioactivity with excellent temporal and spatial resolution, revealing biodistributions that were previously available only through in vitro assay methods. Technetium-94m, produced by the proton irradiation of natural molybdenum on an 11 MeV cyclotron, was extracted with an electrochemical etching technique. Technetium-94m-pertechnetate was prepared to make the myocardial perfusion agent teboroxime in an identical manner as 99mTcO4-. The increased absorbed radiation dose requires a sevenfold reduction in administered activity compared to 99mTc-teboroxime. Eleven clinical PET studies were performed and visually compared to 13N-ammonia. The clearance half-time for 94mTc-teboroxime was approximately 8 min, with a peak myocardial extraction of approximately 3% of the injected dose into a 400-g heart. These results confirm the potential of 94mTc PET for quantitatively studying the pharmacokinetics of new, and old, technetium agents in man.