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.

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.

Usefulness of combined FDG-PET with CT or tumour markers in lung cancer diagnosis.

Background: The synergy between in vitro and in vivo imaging was investigated in this study.

Patients And Methods: Comparison of fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) and computerised tomography (CT) included 62 patients (group 1), while that for comparison of FDG-PET and serum tumour markers included 26 patients (group 2).

Results: In group 1, FDG-PET had positive and negative predictive values of 81% and 80% respectively, compared to 73.

Pretreatment with haloperidol reduces (123)I-FP-CIT binding to the dopamine transporter in the rat striatum: an in vivo imaging study with a dedicated small-animal SPECT camera.

Unlabelled: Synaptic dopamine is mainly regulated by presynaptic dopamine transporter (DAT) activity. We hypothesized that variations in synaptic dopamine are reflected by variations of DAT radioligand binding. The effect of haloperidol, which increases synaptic dopamine concentrations, was therefore assessed in the rat striatum using (123)I-N-omega-fluoropropyl-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)-nortropane ((123)I-FP-CIT) as a DAT radioligand.

Investigating the dopaminergic synapse in vivo. II. Molecular imaging studies in small laboratory animals.

Dopaminergic synaptic function may be assessed either at the presynaptic terminal or at the postsynaptic binding sites using molecular in vivo imaging methods. Apart from the density of binding sites, parameters such as alterations in dopamine synthesis, dopamine storage or dopamine release can be quantified either by application of specific radiotracers or by assessing the competition between the exogenous radioligand and endogenous dopamine. The performance of animal studies allows the induction of specific short-term or long-term synaptic conditions via pharmacological challenges or infliction of neurotoxic lesions.

Investigating the dopaminergic synapse in vivo. I. Molecular imaging studies in humans.

Dopaminergic synaptic function may be assessed either at the presynaptic terminal or at the postsynaptic binding sites using molecular in vivo imaging methods. Apart from the density of binding sites, parameters such as alterations in dopamine synthesis, dopamine storage or dopamine release can be quantified either by application of specific radiotracers or by assessing the competition between the exogenous radioligand and endogenous dopamine. Investigations of humans in both clinical and experimental settings have yielded evidence that disturbances of dopaminergic function may be associated with numerous neurological and psychiatric conditions, among which are movement disorders, schizophrenia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression and drug abuse.

In-vivo quantification of dose-dependent dopamine transporter blockade in the rat striatum with small animal SPECT.

Objective: This study investigated dopamine transporter blockade in the rat striatum after treatment with various doses of methylphenidate using a high-resolution small animal SPECT ('TierSPECT') and I-FP-CIT.

Methods: I-FP-CIT was administered intravenously 1 h after intraperitoneal injection of methylphenidate (3 mg.kg, 10 mg.