GMP production of [F]FE-PE2I on a TRACERLab FX2 N synthesis module, a radiotracer for in vivo PET imaging of the dopamine transport.

Background: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by a degeneration of the dopaminergic system. Dopamine transporter (DAT) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has emerged as a powerful and non-invasive method to quantify dopaminergic function in the living brain. The PET radioligand, [F]FE-PE2I, a cocaine chemical derivative, has shown promising properties for in vivo PET imaging of DAT, including high affinity and selectivity for DAT, excellent brain permeability, and favorable metabolism.

Microwave-assisted decarboxylation of bicyclic 2-pyridone scaffolds and identification of Abeta-peptide aggregation inhibitors.

A reagent-free microwave-assisted decarboxylation procedure for carboxylic acid functionalized bicyclic 2-pyridones has been developed. This new method, based on microwave heating at 220 degrees C for 600 seconds in N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), proved to be practical and very efficient, resulting in decarboxylated 2-pyridones in near-quantitative yields. The decarboxylated products and the intermediate 2-pyridones in the form of carboxylic acid methyl esters and carboxylic acids were screened for their effect on Abeta-peptide aggregation.