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K J Fasth

Publications and source records attributed to K J Fasth.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Manganese induced brain lesions in Macaca fascicularis as revealed by positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

A series of positron emission tomography scans was made on two monkeys during a 16-month period when they received manganese(IV)oxide by subcutaneous injection. The distribution of [11C]-nomifensine uptake, indicating dopamine terminals, was followed in both monkey brains. The brain distributions of [11C]-raclopride, demonstrating D2 dopamine receptors, and [11C]-L-dopa, as a marker of dopamine turnover, were followed in one monkey each. The monkeys developed signs of poisoning namely unsteady gait and hypoactivity. The [11C]-nomifensine uptake in the striatum was reduced with time and reached a 60% reduction after 16 months exposure. This supports the suggestion that dopaminergic nerve endings degenerate during manganese intoxication. The [11C]-L-dopa decarboxylation was not significantly altered indicating a sparing of [11C]-L-dopa decarboxylation during manganese poisoning. A transient decrease of [11C]-raclopride binding occurred but at the end of the study D2-receptor binding had returned to starting values. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the manganese accumulated in the globus pallidus, putamen and caudate nucleus. There were also suggestions of gliosis/edema in the posterior limb of the internal capsule. MRI might be useful to follow manganese intoxication in humans as long as the scan is made within a few months of exposure to manganese, i.e. before a reversal of the manganese accumulation.

Animals

Synthesis of compounds of interest for positron emission tomography with particular reference to synthetic strategies for 11C labeling.

The future impact of positron emission tomography in clinical and basic sciences will be closely related to further developments of detector systems with regard to sensitivity and resolution, but probably even more with respect to developments in the synthesis of relevant labeled tracer molecules. Among the interesting radionuclides, 11C is of special interest since it is a radionuclide of an element, carbon, frequently occurring in the biosystem. In this paper some of the recent progress within the field of using the short-lived radionuclide 11C with a half-life of 20.4 min is presented. The paper deals with synthetic strategies which have been applied starting from simple one-carbon precursors like 11C carbon dioxide. In these strategies the development of reliable methods for production of one-carbon and multiple-carbon precursors, as well as multiple-carbon difunctional precursors, is important. Some examples are discussed. Labeled precursors can be applied conventional types of organic synthesis, in enzyme catalyzed reactions, or by using a combination of these. The synthesis of interesting 11C labeled receptor ligands and amino acids such as alanine, valine, phenylalanine, DOPA, tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, 2-methyltyrosine and some neuropeptides are presented.

Carbon Radioisotopes

Striatal and frontal cortex binding of 11-C-labelled clozapine visualized by positron emission tomography (PET) in drug-free schizophrenics and healthy volunteers.

The binding of 11C-labelled clozapine in the brain was studied in three drug-free schizophrenic patients and in three healthy volunteers. High radioactivities were found in the striatum and in the frontal cortex. The rate constant k3, which is proportional to receptor association rate and the number of receptors, was lower in the frontal cortex compared to the striatum. No obvious difference between the two brain areas was seen for the dissociation rate constant from the receptors (k4). Two schizophrenic patients were reexamined after pretreatment with haloperidol, one after 6 weeks of treatment with a low oral dose, the other one after an IV injection 1 h before 11C-clozapine was given. After haloperidol pretreatment, the binding of 11C-clozapine in striatum and frontal cortex was reduced, more pronounced in the striatum, indicating competition for D-2 dopamine binding sites. Our finding indicates that clozapine has an affinity for a receptor population in the frontal cortex that is predominantly not of the dopamine-D2 type. This feature might be of importance for the unique clinical profile of the drug.

Adult

Receptor binding and selectivity of three 11C-labelled dopamine receptor antagonists in the brain of rhesus monkeys studied with positron emission tomography.

The regional distribution of 3 11C-labelled dopamine receptor antagonists, N-methyl spiperone, raclopride and clozapine, in the brain of Rhesus monkeys was studied by positron emission tomography (PET). The measured radioactivities in the striatal area were similar for the 3 antagonists, although the highest selectivity as compared to cerebellum was found for 11C-raclopride 60 min after administration. The selectivity of the radiotracers for the serotonin and D2-dopamine receptors was evaluated after pretreatment of the monkeys with serotonin and dopamine receptor antagonists. 11C-N-methylspiperone and 11C-clozapine both bound to serotonin receptors in the frontal cortex and to D2-dopamine receptors in the striatal area. Raclopride was selectively bound to the D2-dopamine receptors. The radioactivities measured in the striatal area with cerebellum as reference were fitted to a 3-compartment model which made possible evaluation of receptor binding characteristics. The rate proportional to the association rate constant for the receptor, kon and number of receptors, Bmax, varied from 0.02-0.07 min-1 between the studied radiolabelled drugs, whereas the apparent dissociation rate was highest for clozapine. This means that clozapine had the lowest affinity for the receptors in the striatum, assuming that the Bmax values are identical. The observed difference in selective receptor binding and binding characteristics of the 3 tracers may have an influence both on the clinical efficacy and side effects of the studied dopamine receptor antagonists.

Animals

Preparation of 11C-labelled SCH 23390 for the in vivo study of dopamine D-1 receptors using positron emission tomography.

The dopamine D-1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 ((R)-(+)-8-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-3- benzazepin-7-ol), was labelled by alkylation of the desmethyl compound SCH 24518 ((R)-(+)-8-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-5-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepin-7- ol) with [11C]methyl iodide. A multivariate optimization method, Simplex, was employed to obtain the optimal radiochemical yield. Both straight-phase and reversed-phase preparative HPLC were investigated in the purification of [11C]SCH 23390. Reaction in acetone with subsequent straight-phase LC separation resulted in 80% radiochemical yield, based on [11C]methyl iodide, with a total synthesis time of 35-40 min and a radiochemical purity greater than 99%. The average specific activity was on the order of 11.1 GBq/mmol. The 11C-labelled SCH 23390 was used to visualize the dopamine D-1 receptor-rich areas of a monkey brain by positron emission tomography. The data obtained showed a rapid distribution of radioactivity into the brain and a conspicuous accumulation of [11C]SCH 23390 in the striatum.

Animals

Amino acid distribution and metabolism in pituitary adenomas using positron emission tomography with D-[11C]methionine and L-[11C]methionine.

Four patients with hormonally inactive pituitary adenomas were examined with positron emission tomography (PET) after injection, during different examinations, of L-[methyl-11C]methionine and D-[methyl-11C]methionine, respectively. After the rapid distribution phase, the enantiomer L-[11C]methionine, which is metabolically active, showed a considerable continuous irreversible trapping attributed to amino acid metabolism. The stereoisomer D-[11C]methionine, which does not participate in protein synthesis, showed a rapid distribution within the whole adenoma tissue, with a distribution space on the order of 100%. A minimal irreversible trapping was observed which could be explained by technical factors. It is concluded that PET using the two enantiomers allows a separation of passive distribution and metabolism, and that L-[11C]methionine can be used for in vivo quantitative studies of amino acid metabolism of pituitary adenomas.

Adenoma

Rapid decrease in amino acid metabolism in prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas after bromocriptine treatment: a PET study.

Four patients with prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas were examined with positron emission tomography using L-[11C]methionine to monitor the effect of dopamine agonist treatment on the amino acid metabolism in the tumors. Within the first few hours after intramuscular injection of bromocriptine retard (50 mg) the amino acid metabolism decreased by 40%. Two of the patients were reexamined 7 and 9 days later and showed a 70% reduction in the metabolism of the adenomas. This metabolic effect was later accompanied by significant tumor shrinkage in all adenomas. It is suggested that bromocriptine has a general and rapid effect on the protein synthesis of the prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma cells.

Adenoma