Effects of L-DOPA on striatal iodine-123-FP-CIT binding and behavioral parameters in the rat.

Purpose: The effect of clinical L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) doses on the binding of [121I]N-Ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane (121[I]FP-CIT) to the rat dopamine transporter (DAT) was investigated using small animal single-photon emission computed tomography.

Materials And Methods: DAT binding was measured at baseline, after challenge with the aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor benserazide, and after challenge with either 5 or 10 mg/kg L-DOPA plus benserazide. For baseline and challenges, striatal equilibrium ratios (V3'') were computed as an estimation of the binding potential.

Pharmacological challenge and synaptic response - assessing dopaminergic function in the rat striatum with small animal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET).

Disturbances of dopaminergic neurotransmission may be caused by changes in concentrations of synaptic dopamine (DA) and/or availabilities of pre- and post-synaptic transporter and receptor binding sites. We present a series of experiments which focus on the regulatory mechanisms of the dopamin(DA)ergic synapse in the rat striatum. In these studies, DA transporter (DAT) and/or D(2) receptor binding were assessed with either small animal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) after pharmacological challenge with haloperidol, L-DOPA and methylphenidate, and after nigrostriatal 6-hydroxydopamine lesion.

In vivo imaging neurotransmitter function. The rat 6-hydroxydopamine model and its relevance for human Parkinson's disease.

This article gives an overview of those small animal imaging studies which have been conducted on neurotransmitter function in the rat 6-hydoxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of Parkinson's disease, and discusses findings with respect to the outcome of clinical studies on Parkinsonian patients.

Binding of [123I]iodobenzamide to the rat D2 receptor after challenge with various doses of methylphenidate: an in vivo imaging study with dedicated small animal SPECT.

Purpose: The effect of various doses of methylphenidate on the binding of [(123)I]iodobenzamide ([(123)I]IBZM) to the rat D(2) receptor was assessed using small animal SPECT.

Methods: D(2) receptor binding was measured at baseline and after pretreatment with various doses of methylphenidate. For baseline and methylphenidate challenge, striatal equilibrium ratios (V(3)″) were computed as an estimation of the binding potential.

Cross-linking enhances deposition of human endothelial progenitor cells in the rat heart after intracoronary transplantation.

Transplantation of human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) may improve vascularization and left ventricular function after myocardial infarction. The scope of this study was to explore, whether cross-linking of EPCs may enhance the deposition of cells in the rat heart after clinical-like, intracoronary transplantation. To this end, (111)In-oxinate-labeled hEPCs were infused by a minimally invasive technique into the coronary arteries of immunosuppressed Wistar rats under control conditions and after ischemia/reperfusion.