Species differences in [11C]clorgyline binding in brain.

[11C]Clorgyline selectively binds to MAO A in the human brain. This contrasts with a recent report that [11C]clorgyline (in contrast to other labeled MAO A inhibitors) is not retained in the rhesus monkey brain [4]. To explore this difference, we compared [11C]clorgyline in the baboon brain before and after clorgyline pretreatment and we also synthesized deuterium substituted [11C]clorgyline (and its nor-precursor) for comparison. [11C]Clorgyline was not retained in the baboon brain nor was it influenced by clorgyline pretreatment or by deuterium substitution, contrasting to results in humans. This suggests a species difference in the susceptibility of MAO A to inhibition by clorgyline and represents an unusual example of where the behavior of a radiotracer in the baboon brain does not predict its behavior in the human brain.

Carbon-11 labelled ketamine-synthesis, distribution in mice and PET studies in baboons.

No-carrier-added (NCA)[11C](+/-)-ketamine (2a) and its enantiomers (+)-2b and (-)-2c were synthesized by methylation of the corresponding norketamine (1a-c) with [11C]H3I in an overall radiochemical yield of 20% (EOB) with specific activities of 0.35-0.45 Ci/mumol at EOB in a synthesis time of 40 min from EOB. Compound 2a was metabolized rapidly in mouse brain and labeled metabolites appeared in baboon plasma. PET studies of compounds 2a-c in a baboon showed that influx of compounds 2a-c into the brain was high for the first few min but radioactivity then declined rapidly. Although the retention of radioactivity in the baboon striatum was not significantly different for 2a-c 20 min post-injection, graphical analysis of time-activity data for each enantiomer and for the racemate in baboon striatum suggested that (+)-ketamine may interact with receptors slightly more effectively than its (-)-enantiomer or racemate. However, due to its rapid metabolism in the brain and a similar uptake in the striatum and cerebellum, [11C]ketamine may not be an ideal tracer for studying NMDA receptor with PET.

A comparison of the brain uptake of N-(cyclopropyl[11C]methyl)norbuprenorphine ([11C]buprenorphine) and N-(cyclopropyl[11C]methyl)nordiprenorphine ([11C]diprenorphine) in baboon using PET.

Buprenorphine and diprenorphine were radiolabeled with 11C and their distributions in the baboon brain were studied using positron emission tomography (PET). Specific binding was demonstrated in the striatum (but not in the cerebellum) by pretreating the baboon with (-)naloxone. The absolute striatal uptakes and time courses were similar for these two radioligands but the ratio of radioactivity in the striatum to cerebellum in the baboon was higher for [11C]diprenorphine than for [11C]buprenorphine. Analysis of baboon plasma indicated that both [11C]diprenorphine and [11C]buprenorphine are rapidly metabolized. Analysis of radioactivity in mouse brain indicated that these two radioligands are stable to metabolic transformation. At 30 min after injection, 86-90% of extracted radioactivity was due to unchanged 11C-labeled radioligands. These results suggest that both [11C]diprenorphine and [11C]buprenorphine may be useful radioligands for studying opioid receptors in humans, although [11C]diprenorphine may be a better radioligand than [11C]buprenorphine for this purpose because of its more rapid clearance from the cerebellum.

The utility of 1-[18F]fluoro-3-iodopropane for the synthesis of certain dopamine D-1 and benzodiazepine receptor radioligands.

No-carrier-added (NCA) R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-(3'-[18F]fluoropropyl)-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5- tetrahydro-3-benzazepine (2b) (an analog of dopamine D-1 receptor ligand SCH 23390), ethyl 8-fluoro-5,6-dihydro-5-(3'-fluoropropyl)-6-oxo-4H- imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate (4b) and 3'-[18F]fluoropropyl 8-fluoro-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H- imidazo[1,5-a][1,4]benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate (6b) (analogs of the benzodiazepine RO 15-1788) were synthesized by alkylation of the corresponding nor-compound with NCA 1-[18F]fluoro-3-iodopropane in 10-15% yield (EOB) in approximately 110 min and with a mass of 2-3 nmol. Compound 2 is less potent (approximately 12-14 times) than SCH 23390 in binding to rat striatal membranes in vitro. Compounds 2b, 4b and 6b exhibit no specific anatomical distribution to mouse brain. These results suggest that the substituent at position 3 of SCH 23390, and position 5 and carboxylate group of RO 15-1788 are critical determinants both of affinity and selectivity for receptor binding, and underscores the evaluation necessary when even minor changes (C1 to C3) are made in bioactive compounds.

Serial [18F]N-methylspiroperidol PET studies to measure changes in antipsychotic drug D-2 receptor occupancy in schizophrenic patients.

An indirect approach to the relationship among drug dose, plasma level, and the competition between a labeled neuroleptic drug [18F]N-methylspiroperidol (18F-NMS) for binding sites in striatal tissue in normal and schizophrenic subjects is described. The slope of the line plotting the ratio of activity in the striatum (As) to activity in the cerebellum (Ac) versus time up to 5 hr postinjection of 18F-NMS is taken as a marker of site occupancy. An inverse relation between labeled competitor uptake and drug plasma level has been demonstrated for the classes of antipsychotic drug studied. Striatal uptake studies showed a progressive increase in all subjects following drug withdrawal up to 156 hr postwithdrawal. Uptake and clearance of 18F-NMS in cerebellar tissue was not appreciably affected by antipsychotic medication or drug withdrawal.

Turnover of brain monoamine oxidase measured in vivo by positron emission tomography using L-[11C]deprenyl.

The distribution of carbon-11-labeled L-deprenyl, an irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B), was determined in the baboon brain by positron emission tomography. The irreversible blood-to-brain transfer constant (influx constant, Ki) was measured using a complete metabolite-corrected arterial plasma concentration curve. This influx constant was used as a measure of functional enzyme activity for sequential determinations of MAO-B recovery following a single high dose of unlabeled L-deprenyl. The half-life for turnover of MAO-B was thus determined to be 30 days. Using appropriate irreversible inhibitors, this procedure should be generally useful for determining enzyme turnover rates in any organ in vivo and can be applied to some human studies as well.

No-carrier-added N-(3-[18F]fluoropropyl)spiroperidol: biodistribution in mice and tomographic studies in a baboon.

Two potential radioligands, no-carrier-added (NCA) N-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)spiroperidol (3) and N-(3-[18F]fluoropropyl)spiroperidol (4) have been synthesized for PET imaging of dopamine receptors in humans. Compounds 3 and 4 were synthesized by N-alkylation of spiroperidol with NCA 1-bromo-2-[18F]-fluoroethane (2b), 1-[18F]fluoro-3-iodopropane (2c) and 1-bromo-3-[18F]fluoropropane (2d) respectively. The biodistribution of 4 in mice showed that the mouse brain uptake of radioactivity was similar to that of [18F]-N-methylspiroperidol (1.1% of the administered dose), but the activity in bone (femur) increased with time. The kinetic distribution of compound 4 in baboon brain was similar to that of [18F]-N-methylspiroperiodol, and the striatal accumulation of radioactivity was also blocked stereoselectively by butaclamol. The ratio of striatum to cerebellum radioactivities at 3 hr after injection was 5.9. Analysis of the metabolic stability of 4 in mouse brains for 1 hr indicated that, like [18F]-N-methylspiroperidol, it is relatively stable to metabolic transformation in the central nervous system. These results suggest that compound 4 may be a useful radioligand for PET studies of the dopamine receptor in humans.

No-carrier-added (NCA) (+/-)-N-(3-[18F]fluoropropyl)-N-normetazocine-synthesis and PET studies in a baboon.

No-carrier-added (NCA) (+/-)-N-(3-[18F]Fluoropropyl)-N-normetazocine (2) was synthesized by N-alkylation of (+/-)-N-normetazocine (1) with NCA 1-[18F]fluoro-3-iodopropane in an overall radiochemical yield of 10% (EOB) with a mass of 3.5 nmol in a synthesis time of 90 min from end of bombardment (EOB). PET studies of 2 in a baboon did not indicate specificity for opiate receptor sites alone: The activity declined rapidly in the striatum, the frontal cortex and the cerebellum. The baboon total arterial plasma radioactivity clearance was very rapid and the metabolism of compound 2 in plasma was also very rapid. These results suggest that compound 2 is not a suitable radioligand for imaging opiate receptors in the human brain by positron tomography.

Mapping human brain monoamine oxidase A and B with 11C-labeled suicide inactivators and PET.

The regional distributions of monoamine oxidase (MAO) types A and B have been identified in human brain in vivo with intravenously injected 11C-labeled suicide enzyme inactivators, clorgyline and L-deprenyl, and positron emission tomography. The rapid brain uptake and retention of radioactivity for both 11C tracers indicated irreversible trapping. The anatomical distribution of 11C paralleled the distribution of MAO A and MAO B in human brain in autopsy material. The corpus striatum, thalamus, and brainstem contained high MAO activity. The magnitudes of uptake of both [11C]clorgyline and L-[11C]deprenyl were markedly reduced in one subject treated with the antidepressant MAO inhibitor phenelzine. A comparison of the brain uptake and retention of the 11C-labeled inactive (D-) and active (L-) enantiomers of deprenyl showed rapid clearance of the inactive enantiomer and retention of the active enantiomer within MAO B-rich brain structures, in agreement with the known stereoselectivity of MAO B for L-deprenyl. Prior treatment with unlabeled L-deprenyl prevented retention of L-[11C]deprenyl. Thus, suicide enzyme inactivators labeled with positron emitters can be used to quantitate the distribution and kinetic characteristics of MAO in human brain structures.

Improved delineation of human dopamine receptors using [18F]-N-methylspiroperidol and PET.

The brain uptake of [18F]-N-methylspiroperidol, a butyrophenone neuroleptic with high selectivity for the dopamine receptor, has been measured in three normal human volunteers using positron emission tomography for times up to 12 hr postinjection. These studies demonstrated two unique findings concerning the in vivo distribution of this neuroleptic: (a) it is tightly bound to dopamine D-2 receptors in the caudate-putamen brain regions, and (b) these regions are the only large brain structures which exhibit appreciable long-term retention. In addition, radioactivity clears rapidly from plasma, and the percentage of unchanged [18F]-N-methylspiroperidol in plasma declines rapidly. These results suggest that this compound binds irreversibly to dopamine D-2 receptors, and that there are few if any dopamine D-2 receptors in the human frontal cortex. These studies emphasize not only the importance of characterizing neurotransmitter receptors in living human brain using a ligand labeled with a positron emitting nuclide of sufficiently long half-life to allow monitoring of brain radioactivity distribution for several hours after the injection of radioligand, but also of accurately determining the amount of unchanged tracer in plasma for tracer kinetic modeling.

No-carrier-added fluorine-18-labeled N-methylspiroperidol: synthesis and biodistribution in mice.

No-carrier-added fluorine-18- (18F) labeled N-methylspiroperidol (4) was synthesized from four different substrates: p-nitrobenzonitrile (1), cyclopropyl p-nitrophenyl ketone (2A), p-cyclopropanoyl-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium iodide (2B) and p-cyclopropanoyl-N,N,N-trimethylanilinium perchlorate (2C) using the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction. Radiochemical yield, synthesis time, experimental simplicity, and specific activity were compared. In addition, factors which influence the yield of the nucleophilic aromatic substitution were studied. Based on these studies, the synthesis of 4 from 2A maximizes product specific activity and experimental simplicity and provides 4 in 10-15% radiochemical yield [based on [18F-] with a mass of less than 2 nmol and a specific activity of greater than 10 Ci/mumol (EOB)]. The synthesis of 4 from 8-[4-(4-nitrophenyl)-4-oxobutyl]-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro+ ++ [4.5]decan-4-one (5) and Cs[18F] using the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction gave unacceptably low and erratic yields. The biodistribution of 4 in mice showed a maximum brain uptake of 1.1% of the administered dose at 5 min and declined to approximately 0.6% at 120 min.

A direct comparison of the brain uptake and plasma clearance of N-[11C]methylspiroperidol and [18F]N-methylspiroperidol in baboon using PET.

Serial PET studies of N-[11C]methylspiroperidol and [18F]N-methylspiroperidol were carried out in a single baboon with an intervening time period of 2 h between injection of the 11C and the 18F-labeled tracers. The kinetic patterns of uptake and egress of radioactivity in striatum and cerebellum as well as the magnitude of the uptake was very similar with the two tracers. In addition, no significant difference in clearance of total radioactivity from arterial plasma was detected. Analysis of plasma radioactivity for unchanged drug showed no significant differences in the amount of unchanged tracer at different times, although the profile of labeled metabolites was different. These results indicate that the only significant difference between the use of N-[11C]methylspiroperidol and [18F]N-methylspiroperidol for PET studies of brain dopamine receptors relate to the difference in physical half-life of the radionuclide rather than to differences in the profile of metabolically produced labeled compounds.

Synthesis and biodistribution of no-carrier-added [1-11C]putrescine.

No-carrier-added [1-11C]putrescine was synthesized in 20% radiochemical yield in a synthesis time of 50 min by the Michael addition of potassium [11C]cyanide to acrylonitrile followed by reduction of the [11C]dinitrile with borane-methyl sulfide complex. Biodistribution in mice at 5, 30, and 60 min showed low uptake in normal brain tissue.

[18F]-N-Methylspiroperidol: the radioligand of choice for PETT studies of the dopamine receptor in human brain.

N-Methylspiroperidol, the amide N-methyl analogue of the neuroleptic spiroperidol, was radiolabeled with fluorine-18, and its distribution in the baboon brain was studied using positron emission transaxial tomography. Stereospecific binding was demonstrated in the striatum (but not in the cerebellum) by pretreatment with (-)- or (+)-butaclamol. The kinetic distribution was similar to that of [18F]spiroperidol, but the absolute striatal uptake (in percent of administered dose) was at least two-fold higher. Analysis of baboon blood at 10 min after injection indicated that less than half of the radioactivity in the plasma was due to unchanged radioligand. Analysis of the metabolic stability of [18F]-N-methylspiroperidol in rat brain for 4 hr indicated that, like [18F]spiroperidol, it is very stable to metabolic transformation in the rat central nervous system. Striatal uptake and retention in the rat was five-fold higher for [18F]-N-methylspiroperidol than for [18F]spiroperidol. These results suggest that [18F]-N-methylspiroperidol is an ideal choice for studies of the dopamine receptor in humans.

Comparison of three 18F-labeled butyrophenone neuroleptic drugs in the baboon using positron emission tomography.

The butyrophenone neuroleptics spiroperidol, benperidol, and haloperidol were radiolabeled with fluorine-18 and studied in baboon brain using positron emission transaxial tomography (PETT). Pretreatment of the baboon with a high pharmacological dose of (+)-butaclamol reduced the specifically bound component of radioactivity distribution in the striatum to approximately the radioactivity distribution found in the cerebellum. Comparative studies of brain distribution kinetics over a 4-h period indicated that either [18F]spiroperidol or [18F]benperidol may be suitable for specific labeling of neuroleptic receptors. In an 8-h study with [18F]spiroperidol, striatal radioactivity did not decline, suggesting that spiroperidol either has a very slow dissociation rate or that it binds irreversibly to these receptors in vivo. [18F]Haloperidol may not be suitable for in vivo PETT studies, because of a relatively high component of nonspecific distribution and a faster dissociation from the receptor. Analysis of 18F in plasma after injection of [18F]spiroperidol indicated rapid metabolism to polar and acidic metabolites, with only 40% of the total radioactivity being present as unchanged drug after 30 min. Analysis of the metabolic stability of the radioactively labeled compound in rat striatum indicated that greater than 95% of [18F]spiroperidol remains unchanged after 4 h.

Syntheses and specific activity determinations of no-carrier-added (NCA) F-18-labeled butyrophenone neuroleptics--benperidol, haloperidol, spiroperidol, and pipamperone.

A general method for the syntheses of no-carrier-added (NCA) 18F-labeled butyrophenone neuroleptics--benperidol, haloperidol, spiroperidol, and pipamperone is described. These 18F-labeled neuroleptic drugs are synthesized by a multistep synthesis in an overall radiochemical yield of 10-20% at end of bombardment (EOB) in a synthesis time of 90 min from EOB. The sequence involves the synthesis of NCA p-[18F]fluorobenzonitrile from NCA [18F]-fluoride and p-nitrobenzonitrile using the rapidly converted to gamma-chloro-p-[18F]fluorobutyrophenone which is alkylated with appropriate amines to give NCA 18F-labeled benperidol, haloperidol, spiroperidol, and pipamperone. The final product is purified by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The 18F solution used in the synthesis as determined by ion chromatography contains 15.3 +/- 9.0 nmol of stable fluoride. The specific activities of the resulting butyrophenone neuroleptics were determined to be 3 Ci/mumol (at EOB) (range 1-6 Ci/mumol) as determined by radioreceptor assay and HPLC assay.

Synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-[82Br]bromo-D-mannose and related compounds and their biodistributions in mice.

The synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-[82Br]bromo-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl chloride (compound 3b) and 2-deoxy-2-[82Br]bromo-D-mannose (compound 4b), and their biodistributions in mice are described. The reaction of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal (compound 2) with unlabeled and labeled bromine chloride (compounds 1a and 1b) generated in situ from the oxidation of bromide with N-chloro-succinimide gave unlabeled and labeled 2-deoxy-2-bromo-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl chloride (compounds 3a and 3b) with a radiochemical yield of 58% (chemical yield, 63%). The hydrolysis of compounds 3a and 3b with 2N HCl gave 2-deoxy-2-bromo-D-mannose (compounds 4a and 4b) with a radiochemical yield of 72%. The biodistribution of compounds 3b and 4b after injection in mice indicated that 2% of the total injected radioactivity rapidly accumulated in the brain, while 6% of the total injected radioactivity accumulated in the heart; however, the radioactivity started to decline in these two organs after 15 min.

Mapping brain neuroleptic receptors in the live baboon.

An experimental strategy for external detection of specific neuroleptic receptors in living brain using positron emission transaxial tomography (PETT) and [11C]spiroperidol was applied to the mapping of brain neuroleptic receptors in the live baboon. A double injection of [11C]spiroperidol with an intervening time interval for carbon-11 decay and an intervening dose of (+)-butaclamol to block specific neuroleptic receptors produced two sets of PETT scans which were subtracted to produce a three-dimensional map of relative regional binding of neuroleptic receptors in the baboon brain. Sixty-five percent of the total radioactivity in the striatum was bound to neuroleptic receptors at 65 min after injection.

Synthesis and biodistribution of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucopyranosyl [18F]fluoride in mice.

The synthesis and biodistribution of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucopyranosyl [18F]fluoride (4 approximately) in mice are described. Reaction of 3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal (1 approximately) with [18F]F2 in freon-11 at -78 degrees C gives 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl [18F]fluoride (2 approximately) and 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-3,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-mannopyranosyl [18F]fluoride (3 approximately). Partial hydrolysis of 2 approximately with NaOMe/MeOH gives compound 4 approximately in a radiochemical yield of approximately 28% (based on 18F recovered) and in a synthesis time of 70 min from EOB. The biodistribution of compound 4 approximately in mice suggests that it defluorinates in vivo to give 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (5 approximately) and [18F]fluoride as metabolites.