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Although still a matter of controversy, disrupted in schizophrenia protein 1 (DISC1) was suggested as a potential inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4). We used Disc1 locus impairment (LI) mice to investigate the interaction between PDE4 and DISC 1 in vivo and in vitro. [11C](R)-Rolipram binding was measured by PET in LI (n = 11) and C57BL/6 wild-type (WT, n = 9) mice. [11C](R)-Rolipram total distribution volumes (V T) were calculated and corrected for plasma-free fraction (f P) measured in a separate group of LI (n = 6) and WT (n = 7) mice. PDE4 enzyme activity was measured using in vitro samples of cerebral cortices from groups of LI (n = 4), heterozygote (n = 4), and WT (n = 4) mice. Disc1 LI mice showed a 41% increase in V T (18 ± 6 vs. 13±4 mL/cm3, P = 0.04) compared to WT mice. V T/ f P showed a 73% significant increase (90 ± 31 vs. 52 ± 15 mL/cm3, P = 0.004) in Disc1 LI compared to WT mice. PDE4 enzymatic activity assay confirmed in vivo findings showing significant group differences (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, PDE4 activity was increased in the absence of critical DISC1 protein isoforms both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, [11C](R)-Rolipram PET was sensitive enough to assess altered PDE4 activity caused by PDE4–DISC1 interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) has been widely imaged as a marker of neuroinflammation using several radioligands, including [11C]PBR28. In order to study the effects of age, sex, and obesity on TSPO binding and to determine whether this binding can be accurately assessed using fewer radio high-performance liquid chromatography (radio-HPLC) measurements of arterial blood samples, we created a database of 48 healthy subjects who had undergone [11C]PBR28 scans (23 high-affinity binders (HABs) and 25 mixed-affinity binders (MABs), 20 F/28 M, age: 40.6±16.8 years). After analysis by Logan plot using 23 metabolite-corrected arterial samples, total distribution volume (VT) was found to be 1.2-fold higher in HABs across all brain regions. Additionally, the polymorphism plot estimated nondisplaceable uptake (VND) as 1.40 mL ± cm-3, which generated a specific-to-nondisplaceable ratio (BPND) of 1.6±0.6 in HABs and 1.1±0.6 in MABs. VT increased significantly with age in nearly all regions and was well estimated with radio-HPLC measurements from six arterial samples. However, VT did not correlate with body mass index and was not affected by sex. These results underscore which patient characteristics should be accounted for during [11C]PBR28 studies and suggest ways to perform such studies more easily and with fewer blood samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands for translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) are widely used to measure neuroinflammation, but controversy exists whether second-generation radioligands are superior to the prototypical agent 11C-(R)-PK11195 in human imaging. This study sought to quantitatively measure the “signal to background” ratio (assessed as binding potential (BPND)) of 11C-(R)-PK11195 compared to one of the most promising second-generation radioligands, 11C-DPA-713. Healthy subjects had dynamic PET scans and arterial blood measurements of radioligand after injection of either 11C-(R)-PK11195 (16 subjects) or 11C-DPA-713 (22 subjects). To measure the amount of specific binding, a subset of these subjects was scanned after administration of the TSPO blocking drug XBD173 (30–90 mg PO). 11C-DPA-713 showed a significant sensitivity to genotype in brain, whereas 11C-(R)-PK11195 did not. Lassen occupancy plot analysis revealed that the specific binding of 11C-DPA-713 was much greater than that of 11C-(R)-PK11195. The BPND in high-affinity binders was about 10-fold higher for 11C-DPA-713 (7.3) than for 11C-(R)-PK11195 (0.75). Although the high specific binding of 11C-DPA-713 suggests it is an ideal ligand to measure TSPO, we also found that its distribution volume increased over time, consistent with the accumulation of radiometabolites in brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the two 18F-labeled PET ligands currently available to image metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), [18F]FPEB is reportedly superior because [18F]SP203 undergoes glutathionlyation, generating [18F]-fluoride ion that accumulates in brain and skull. To allow multiple PET studies on the same day with lower radiation exposure, we prepared [11C]FPEB and [11C]SP203 from [11C]hydrogen cyanide and compared their abilities to accurately quantify mGluR5 in human brain, especially as regards radiometabolite accumulation. Genomic plot was used to estimate the ratio of specific-to-nondisplaceable uptake (BPND) without using a receptor blocking drug. Both tracers quantified mGluR5; however [11C]SP203, like [18F]SP203, had radiometabolite accumulation in brain, as evidenced by increased distribution volume (VT) over the scan period. Absolute VT values were ~30% lower for 11C-labeled compared with 18F-labeled radioligands, likely caused by the lower specific activities (and high receptor occupancies) of the 11C radioligands. The genomic plot indicated ~60% specific binding in cerebellum, which makes it inappropriate as a reference region. Whole-body scans performed in healthy subjects demonstrated a low radiation burden typical for 11C-ligands. Thus, the evidence suggests that [11C]FPEB is superior to [11C]SP203. If prepared in higher specific activity, [11C]FPEB would presumably be as effective as [18F]FPEB for quantifying mGluR5 in human brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]