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SPECT imaging with 123I-labeled methyl 3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylate ([123I]beta-CIT) in nonhuman primates has shown brain striatal activity, which primarily reflects binding to the dopamine transporter. The biodistribution and calculated radiation-absorbed doses of [123I]beta-CIT administered to eight healthy subjects were measured with attention to the accurate determination of organ time-activity data.Whole-body transmission images were obtained with a scanning line source for attenuation correction of the emission images. Following administration of 92.5 +/- 22.2 MBq (2.5 +/- 0.6 mCi) of [123I]beta-CIT, subjects were imaged with a whole-body imager every 30 min for 3 hr, every 60 min for the next 3 hr and at 12, 24 and 48 hr postinjection. Regional body conjugate counts were converted to microcuries of activity, with a calibration factor determined in a separate experiment using a distributed source of 123I.The peak brain uptake represented 14% of the injected dose, with 2% of the activity approximately overlying the striatal region. Highest radiation-absorbed doses were to the lung (0.1 mGy/MBq, 0.38 rads/mCi), liver (0.087 mGy/MBq, 0.32 rads/mCi) and lower large intestine (0.053 mGy/MBq, 0.20 rads/mCi).Iodine-123-beta-CIT is a promising SPECT agent for imaging of the dopamine transporter in humans with favorable dosimetry and high brain uptake.

Previously administered diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals may interfere with performance of the Schilling test for prolonged periods of time. Additionally, presence of confounding radionuclides in the urine may not be suspected if baseline urine measurements have not been performed before the examination.We assumed that a spurious contribution of counts corresponding to 1% of the administered Schilling dose would begin to contribute clinically significant interference. Based on the typical amounts of radiopharmaceuticals administered, spectra of commonly used radionuclides and best available pharmacokinetic models of biodistribution and excretion, we estimated the interval required for 24-hr urinary excretion of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals to drop below this threshold of significant interference.For previously administered 99mTc-based radiopharmaceuticals and 123I-Nal, the interval required for urinary levels of activity to fall below thresholds of allowable interference are between 2-5 days. For 67Ga-citrate, several 111In compounds, 131I-MIBG and 201Tl-thallous chloride, periods of 12-44 days are estimated. Estimates for 131I-Nal vary greatly between 4 and 115 days, depending on the amount administered, and the degree of thyroid uptake.Patients should be interviewed before performing the Schilling test to ensure that interfering radiopharmaceuticals have not been recently administered. The estimates developed in this paper can serve as guidelines for the necessary waiting time between prior radiopharmaceutical administration and the Schilling examination.