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M R Kilbourn

Publications and source records attributed to M R Kilbourn.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

In vivo imaging of monoaminergic nerve terminals in normal and MPTP-lesioned primate brain using positron emission tomography (PET) and [11C]tetrabenazine.

The first successful in vivo imaging of monoamine vesicular transporters in the living primate brain is described, using [11C]tetrabenazine ([11C]TBZ) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Radioligand uptake into brain is rapid, and at short time periods (10-30 minutes) the higher uptake and retention of the radiotracer in the more densely dopaminergic innervated striatum is clearly visualized. Specific binding in striatum can be entirely blocked with co-administration of a pharmacological dose (1 mg/kg i.v.) of tetrabenazine. In a unilaterally MPTP-lesioned monkey, specific binding of radioligand was absent in the striatum on the lesioned side, with no effect on radiotracer distribution in the cortex, cerebellum or contralateral striatum. PET imaging with [11C]TBZ provides a new approach to the in vivo study of monoaminergic neurons and their loss in neurodegenerative diseases.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Synthesis of a [11C]methoxy derivative of alpha-dihydrotetrabenazine: a radioligand for studying the vesicular monoamine transporter.

The synthesis of [11C]TBZOMe, a [11C]methoxy derivative at the 2-hydroxy position of alpha-dihydrotetrabenazine, was carried out by an O-[11C]methylation reaction. The product [11C]TBZOMe (100-200 mCi) was obtained in 15-40% radiochemical yield (corrected for decay) within 37 min, and in high specific activity (2000-2500 Ci/mmol) and radiochemical purity (> 97%). [11C]TBZOMe is a potential new radioligand for studying the vesicular monoamine transporter using positron emission tomography.

Biological Transport↗

Synthesis of [11C]tetrabenazine, a vesicular monoamine uptake inhibitor, for PET imaging studies.

Tetrabenazine (TBZ), a high affinity and specific inhibitor of the vesicular monoamine transporter, has been labeled with carbon-11 as a potential probe for in vivo positron emission tomographic imaging of monoaminergic neuronal losses in neurodegenerative diseases. [11C]TBZ was synthesized by O-[11C]methylation of the 9-O-desmethylTBZ using [11C]methyl iodide in the presence of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide. The radiochemical yields were 35-55% (decay corrected) and the synthesis time 32-37 min from EOB. [11C]TBZ was obtained with specific activities of 2000-2500 Ci/mmol (EOS) and radiochemical and chemical purities were > 95%. [11C]Tetrabenazine is a promising new radioligand for the in vivo study of monoaminergic neurons using PET.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗

High yield synthesis of high specific activity R-(-)-[11C]epinephrine for routine PET studies in humans.

R-(-)-[11C]Epinephrine ([11C]EPI) has been synthesized from R-(-)-norepinephrine by direct methylation with [11C]methyl iodide or [11C]methyl triflate. The total synthesis time including HPLC purification was 35-40 min. The radiochemical yields (EOB) were 5-10% for [11C]methyl iodide and 15-25% for [11C]methyl triflate. Radiochemical purity was > 98%; optical purity determined by radio-chiral HPLC was > 97%. The [11C]methyl triflate technique produces R-(-)-[11C]epinephrine in quantities (80-170 mCi) sufficient for multiple positron emission tomography studies in humans. The two synthetic methods are generally applicable to the production of other N-[11C]methyl phenolamines and N-[11C]methyl catecholamines.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗

In vivo imaging of vesicular monoamine transporters in human brain using [11C]tetrabenazine and positron emission tomography.

The pharmacokinetics of [11C]tetrabenazine, a high-affinity radioligand for the monoamine vesicular transporter, were determined in living human brain using in vivo imaging by positron emission tomography (PET). The radiotracer showed high brain uptake and rapid washout from all brain regions with relatively slower clearance from regions of highest concentrations of monoamine vesicular transporters (striatum), resulting in clear differential visualization of these structures at short intervals after injection (10-20 min). As the first human PET imaging study of a vesicular neurotransmitter transporter, these experiments demonstrate that external imaging of vesicular transporters forms a new and valuable approach to the in vivo quantification of monoaminergic neurons, with potential application to the in vivo study of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

Adult↗

Repeated reserpine administration reduces in vivo [18F]GBR 13119 binding to the dopamine uptake site.

The effects of repeated reserpine on the in vivo regional brain distribution of [18F]GBR 13119 (1-[(4-[18F]fluorophenyl)(phenyl)methoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl) piperazine), a dopamine uptake inhibitor, have been examined. Repeated parenteral administration of reserpine (2 mg/kg i.p., once daily for three days) causes a decrease of the in vivo specific binding of [18F]GBR 13119 in mouse striatum, consistent with a down-regulation of available uptake sites in response to dopamine depletion. These results indicate that modification of endogenous dopamine concentrations, either due to pathological disturbance or pharmacological interventions, may affect in vivo studies of the dopamine uptake system using radioligands of the 1,4-dialk(en)ylpiperazine class, and complicate the interpretation of in vivo human studies of these radioligands using positron emission tomography.

Animals↗

In vivo binding of [11C]tetrabenazine to vesicular monoamine transporters in mouse brain.

The time course of regional mouse brain distribution of radioactivity after i.v. injection of a tracer dose of [11C]tetrabenazine ([11C]TBZ) has been determined. Radiotracer uptake into brain is rapid, with 3.2% injected dose in the brain at 2 min. Egress from the brain is also very rapid, with only 0.21% of the injected dose still present in brain at 60 min. Radiotracer washout is slowest from the striatum and hypothalamus, consistent with binding to the higher numbers of vesicular monamine transporters in those brain regions. The rank order of radioligand binding at 10 min after injection is striatum greater than hypothalamus greater than hippocampus greater than cortex = cerebellum, similar to that found using in vitro assays of the vesicular monoamine transporters. Maximum ratios of striatum/cerebellum and hypothalamus/cerebellum were 2.85 +/- 0.52 and 1.69 +/- 0.25, respectively, at 10 min after injection. Co-injection of unlabeled tetrabenazine (10 mg/kg) or pretreatment with reserpine (1 mg/kg i.p., 24 h prior) was used to demonstrate specific binding of radioligand in striatum, hypothalamus, cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Distribution of [11C]TBZ was unaffected by pretreatment with the neuronal dopamine uptake inhibitor GBR 12935 (20 mg/kg i.p., 30 min prior). [11C]Tetrabenazine is thus a promising new radioligand for the in vivo study of monoaminergic neurons using Positron Emission Tomography.

Animals↗

Iodine-125 and fluorine-18 labeled aryl-1,4-dialkylpiperazines: potential radiopharmaceuticals for in vivo study of the dopamine uptake system.

A series of fluorine-18 and iodine-125 labeled aryl-1,4-dialkylpiperazine analogs, derivatives of GBR 12935, were synthesized as radiotracers for positron emission tomography or single photon emission computerized tomography imaging of the brain based on their affinity for the presynaptic dopamine reuptake system. High specific activity fluorine-18 tracers were prepared by nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions; iodine-125 tracers were prepared by isotopic exchange reactions. In vitro competitive binding studies demonstrated that iodine substitution is tolerated in the 4-position of the phenyl ring of the phenalkylpiperazine group. In vivo regional brain biodistribution studies in mice indicated no selectivity of the radioiodinated ligands for the dopamine reuptake site, with striatum/cerebellum concentration ratios of 1. Similar negative results with the new fluorine-18 derivatives demonstrated that in vivo selectivity for the dopamine reuptake site appears to be critically dependent on the carbon chain length between the piperazine ring and the solitary aromatic ring. These studies suggest that development of new radiopharmaceuticals based on the GBR 12935 structure cannot be based solely on considerations of in vitro binding affinities.

Animals↗

Quantitative assessment of lipoprotein metabolism by positron emission tomography with an 18F-containing residualizing label.

Residualizing labels for proteins are designed to remain entrapped within cells following uptake and degradation of the carrier protein. In the present work we report the synthesis of a novel residualizing label, N-lactitol-S-([18F]fluorophenacyl)-cysteamine ([18F]LCSH, and its use for quantifying the accumulation of low density lipoprotein in tissues in vivo by positron emission tomography (PET). The retention of degradation products in tissues from lipoprotein or from other rapidly catabolized protein pharmaceuticals tagged with [18F]LCSH reduces leakage of tracer into the plasma compartment. Thus, residualizing labels provide a valuable tool for enhancing signal-to-noise ratios, even during the relatively short interval of PET studies.

Animals↗

Synthesis, rodent biodistribution, dosimetry, metabolism, and monkey images of carbon-11-labeled (+)-2 alpha-tropanyl benzilate: a central muscarinic receptor imaging agent.

Muscarinic cholinergic receptors (mAChR) are abundant in the brain, and the mAChR system mediates many aspects of brain function. There is evidence of alterations in muscarinic binding in degenerative brain disorders. A muscarinic receptor radioligand, carbon-11-(+)-2 alpha-tropanyl benzilate ([11C]TRB), has been prepared through N-[11C]methylation of N-desmethyl TRB, and evaluated in rodents and primates. Full body biodistribution in rats has been determined and the expected human dosimetry calculated. Comparisons with [11C]scopolamine in rats showed 2-6 times greater brain uptake of [11C] TRB. Highly specific and saturable binding of [11C]TRB in the striatum and cortex was demonstrated by greater than 85% blockade of uptake following QNB or scopolamine pretreatment. Striatum/cerebellum ratios in mice at 60 min exceeded 12.6. TLC analysis of rat tissues showed the absence of 11C-metabolites in brain and heart, and a rapid solid phase C-18 Sep-Pak method found that unmetabolized plasma [11C]TRB in monkeys fell from 81% at 5 min to 48% at 80 min. Finally, brains of living primates have been imaged using PET and [11C]TRB; regional localization was consistent with muscarinic receptor distribution. These results represent intermediate steps in the development of [11C]TRB for quantification of central muscarinic receptors in man.

Animals↗

Parametric in vivo imaging of benzodiazepine receptor distribution in human brain.

Emission computed tomographic methods for the in vivo quantification of radioligand-binding sites in human brain have previously been limited either by a lack of correction for possible effects of altered ligand transport or by highly complicated physiological models that preclude display of binding data in a detailed anatomical format. We investigated the application of a simplified compartmental model to the kinetic analysis of in vivo ligand binding to central benzodiazepine receptors. The human brain distribution of [11C]flumazenil, as determined by dynamic positron emission tomography, combined with metabolite-corrected arterial blood samples, permitted estimations of local cerebral ligand transport and of receptor binding. This approach allows calculation of transport and binding "maps" on a pixel-by-pixel basis, resulting in the display of binding data in a familiar tomographic format while maintaining much of the physiological accuracy inherent in more complex methods. The results obtained in a study of 6 normal volunteers revealed good interindividual precision, with coefficients of variation between 10 and 15% of mean regional values, suggesting the utility of this approach in future clinical studies of benzodiazepine receptor binding.

Adult↗

Oxidation of substituted 4-fluorobenzaldehydes: application to the no-carrier-added syntheses of 4-[18F]fluoroguaiacol and 4-[18F]fluorocatechol.

The synthesis of 4-[18F]fluoroguaiacol (4-[18F]fluoro-2-methoxyphenol) has been achieved in no-carrier-added form starting from 2-methoxy-4-nitrobenzaldehyde, using nucleophilic aromatic substitution by [18F]fluoride followed by Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of the benzaldehyde to the phenol. Demethylation with boron tribromide gave 4-[18F]fluorocatechol (1,2-dihydroxy-4-[18F]fluorobenzene) with an overall yield of 18-28% (EOB) in less than 2 h synthesis time. The fluorine-18 labeled intermediates and products were identical to standards of 4-fluoroguaiacol and 4-fluorocatechol prepared by the same methods. This represents a new approach to the synthesis of fluorinated phenols in fluorine-19 and fluorine-18 forms.

Catechols↗

Synthesis of [18F]flunarizine.

Flunarizine, a calcium channel antagonist of the piperazine class, has been labeled with the positron-emitter 18F.4-[18F]Fluoro-4-fluorobenzhydryl chloride was prepared in three steps from no-carrier-added [18F]fluoride ion, and used in the alkylation of N-cinnamylpiperazine to give [18F]flunarizine in 13% radiochemical yield (from [18F]fluoride).

Flunarizine↗

[18F]fluorination/decarbonylation: new route to aryl [18F]fluorides.

A new route to aryl [18F]fluorides without electron withdrawing ring substituents has been developed. [18F]Fluorobenzaldehydes, prepared from no-carrier-added (NCA) [18F]fluoride using nucleophilic aromatic substitution of fluoro or nitro groups, were decarbonylated using palladium on charcoal (Pd-C). By this approach 2-methoxy-4-nitrobenzaldehyde was converted to NCA 3-[18F]fluorophenol (25-30%, EOB) and 4-fluoro-2-methoxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde to carrier-added (CA) 3-[18F]fluoro-4-methylphenol (30-40%, EOB). Overall synthesis time was about 2 h. Since the 4-fluoro-2-methoxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde was in turn prepared by methylation and regiospecific formylation of 3-fluoro-4-methylphenol, the overall process represents use of a removable activating group for nucleophilic aromatic substitution with [18F]fluoride for preparation of CA and NCA aryl [18F]fluorides.

Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated↗

In vivo binding of the dopamine uptake inhibitor [18F]GBR 13119 in MPTP-treated C57BL/6 mice.

The in vivo regional distribution of [18F]GBR 13119 (1-[(4-[18F]fluorophenyl(phenyl)methoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl) piperazine), a specific dopamine reuptake inhibitor, was examined in brains of C57BL/6 mice after MPTP treatment. At 2 weeks post MPTP the in vivo specific binding of [18F]GBR 13119 in striatum was decreased 63% relative to age and sex-matched controls. Animals studied at 6 and 8 weeks after MPTP treatment showed a gradual recovery of specific [18F]GBR 13119 binding in the striatum. No significant changes were observed in binding of radiotracer to cerebellum or cortex after MPTP treatment, nor were age-related changes observed in control mice. In vivo radiotracer studies thus appear useful for following gradual changes in the dopamine uptake system of mouse brain after neurotoxin treatment.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Antibody fragments labeled with fluorine-18 and gallium-68: in vivo comparison with indium-111 and iodine-125-labeled fragments.

Although monoclonal antibodies have been radiolabeled with many different radionuclides, the application of positron emission tomography (PET) to the imaging of radiolabeled antibodies has been limited to the investigation of a small number of long-lived radionuclides. In this study, we labeled F(ab')2 fragments of a mouse monoclonal antibody (BB5-G1) specific for a human parathyroid surface antigen with the positron emitting radionuclides, gallium-68 and fluorine-18. The biodistribution of the fragments was evaluated in a nude mice model and the results were compared to those obtained with fragments labeled with iodine-125 and indium-111 using conventional labeling techniques. All labeled fragments bound to human parathyroid tissue implanted in nude mice, with parathyroid-to-muscle ratios reaching as high as 10:1, 4 h after administration. A major difference was observed in the uptake and clearance of the various labeled fragments through the kidney. The halogen activity cleared, but the metal radioactivity was retained in the kidney. The results indicate that the fluorine-18 or gallium-68 labeled fragment may be useful for parathyroid imaging with positron emission tomography.

Albumins↗

Compartmental analysis of [11C]flumazenil kinetics for the estimation of ligand transport rate and receptor distribution using positron emission tomography.

The in vivo kinetic behavior of [11C]flumazenil ([11C]FMZ), a non-subtype-specific central benzodiazepine antagonist, is characterized using compartmental analysis with the aim of producing an optimized data acquisition protocol and tracer kinetic model configuration for the assessment of [11C]FMZ binding to benzodiazepine receptors (BZRs) in human brain. The approach presented is simple, requiring only a single radioligand injection. Dynamic positron emission tomography data were acquired on 18 normal volunteers using a 60- to 90-min sequence of scans and were analyzed with model configurations that included a three-compartment, four-parameter model, a three-compartment, three-parameter model, with a fixed value for free plus nonspecific binding; and a two-compartment, two-parameter model. Statistical analysis indicated that a four-parameter model did not yield significantly better fits than a three-parameter model. Goodness of fit was improved for three- versus two-parameter configurations in regions with low receptor density, but not in regions with moderate to high receptor density. Thus, a two-compartment, two-parameter configuration was found to adequately describe the kinetic behavior of [11C]FMZ in human brain, with stable estimates of the model parameters obtainable from as little as 20-30 min of data. Pixel-by-pixel analysis yields functional images of transport rate (K1) and ligand distribution volume (DV"), and thus provides independent estimates of ligand delivery and BZR binding.

Adult↗