Search

Damage to monoaminergic systems during the period of brain development is thought to be involved in several neurodevelopmental disorders. We investigated the maturation of the dopamine and serotonin transporters in rat cerebral regions containing the soma and projections of dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurons in an extensive study from the end of embryonic life (E(18)) to adult stages (until P(70)). The membrane transporters were measured by quantitative autoradiography using specific radioprobes. We demonstrated that the dopamine and serotonin transporters have different patterns of development. The dopamine transporter density increased from E(18) to P(28) where it reached the adult level and then remained stable until P(70). The maturation of serotonin transporters followed a triphasic profile in all areas: (i). an increase leading to a peak obtained between P(0) and P(14) in cell bodies and at P(21) in nerve endings; (ii). a decrease to reach adult levels at P(21) in raphe nuclei and at P(28) in projections areas; and (iii). a plateau until P(70). This demonstrated that the last week of embryonic life and the first two postnatal weeks are critical periods in the development of the dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems at which time they could be particularly vulnerable to injury.

ADAM, 2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)phenyl)thio)-5-iodophenylamine, is a recently described SPECT tracer for exploration of the serotonin transporter. We evaluated its potential to detect abnormalities in serotonergic function in the rat using 1) a model of serotonergic neuron lesion induced with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT), and 2) experimental induction of acute decrease in endogenous brain serotonin levels. Cerebral biodistribution studies of [125I]ADAM were performed in normal conditions, in 5,7-DHT-lesioned rats, and after acute serotonin depletion obtained with p-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA). Around 50% reduction in accumulation of ADAM was observed in the hypothalamus and hippocampus 3 weeks after lesion of serotonergic neurons, whereas a more modest decrease of 15-30% occurred in the thalamus, frontal cortex, and striatum. This demonstrated the ability of the tracer to detect serotonergic neuron loss in vivo. After inducing acute 5-HT depletion with pCPA, we observed an increase in in vivo [125I]ADAM binding in all brain areas studied. The higher in vivo binding of [125I]ADAM in pCPA-treated rats than in controls was mainly due to an increase in specific binding to the SERT, as demonstrated by greatly reduced binding in the presence of a saturating dose of paroxetine. This may indicate in vivo competition between ADAM and 5-HT for binding to the SERT. The present findings thus demonstrate that ADAM is a specific SERT radioligand which can be used for in vivo study of central serotonin systems, and supports its use as a tracer for SPECT studies in human disorders involving dysfunction of serotonergic neurotransmission., (Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

The tricyclic tropane analogues (1S,3S,6R,10S)-(Z)-10-(benzoyloxymethyl)-9-(3-chloro-4-iodobenzylidene)-7-azatricyclo[4.3.1.0(3,7)]decane, 1, and (1S,3S,6R,10S)-(Z)-9-(3-chloro-4-iodobenzylidene)-7-azatricyclo[4.3.1.0(3,7)]decane-10-carboxylic acid methyl ester, 2, have been shown to be potent and selective serotonin transporter (SERT) ligands. They possess nanomolar affinity for the SERT (Ki = 0.06 nM and 1.8 nM respectively) and are suitable for radiolabelling using iodine-123. In the present study we prepared [(123)I]1 and [(123)I]2 from the appropriate tributylstannane precursors using acidic media with chloramine-T as the oxidising agent. The radiochemical yield obtained for [(123)I]1 varied between 50-60% while for [(123)I]2 the range was 65-80%. Both radioligands were obtained with radiochemical purity > 97% and specific activity estimated to be > 185 GBq/micromol. The biodistribution of [(123)I]1 demonstrated low degree of brain penetration at 5 min (0.14%ID/g) with a homogeneous distribution. The radioactivity cleared quickly from all brain regions with no preferential localization. In comparison, [(123)I]2 demonstrated on average a higher brain uptake at 5 min (0.5%ID/g). However the distribution of radioactivity was homogeneous and cleared to levels similar to [(123)I]1 at 1 hr post-injection. Pre-administration of citalopram failed to show any significant inhibition of [(123)I]2 uptake in the rat brain. The high lipophilicity of 1 and 2 (HPLC-derived log P(7.4) values of 6.41 and 4.25 respectively) and in vivo metabolism, seen by high thyroid uptake would explain the absence of any specific binding observed in the rat brain. In view of these results [(123)I]1 and [(123)I]2 do not appear to be suitable radioligands for in vivo studies of the SERT.

The aim of this study was to explore the potential of a new selective dopamine transporter (DAT) compound as a radioligand for positron emission tomography (PET) examination of DAT in the human brain. The high affinity DAT compound N-(3-iodoprop-2 E-enyl)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-methylphenyl)nortropane (PE2I) was radiolabelled by the O-methylation approach and the binding was characterised by PET in cynomolgus monkeys and a healthy man. Metabolite levels in plasma were measured by gradient high-performance liquid chromatography. O-methylation of the corresponding free acid precursor with [(11)C]methyl triflate gave high radiochemical yield (80%) and specific radioactivity (55 GBq/ microM). [(11)C]PE2I binding in cynomolgus monkeys was nine times higher in the striatum than in the cerebellum at peak equilibrium, which appeared 55-65 min after injection. Displacement and pretreatment measurements using unlabelled beta-CIT, GBR 12909, cocaine, citalopram and maprotiline confirmed that [(11)C]PE2I binds selectively to DAT. In a preliminary study in one human subject the radioactivity ratios of the striatum and substantia nigra to the cerebellum were 10 and 1.8, respectively, at peak equilibrium, which appeared at 40-50 min and 20 min, respectively, after injection. The fraction of the total radioactivity in monkey and human plasma representing unchanged [(11)C]PE2I was 15-20% at 40 min after injection. The present characterisation of binding in monkey and man suggests that [(11)C]PE2I is a suitable PET radioligand for quantitative regional examination of DAT in man.

Unlabelled: (E)-N-(3-iodoprop-2-enyl)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4'-methyl-phenyl) nortropane (PE2I), a cocaine analog, is a new, highly specific tracer for imaging dopamine transporter labeled with (123)I for in vivo SPECT. Its reversible binding on dopamine transporter and its rapid kinetics allow quantification of its binding potential according to a 3-compartment model. For quantification of distribution volume of reversible tracer, Logan developed a noninvasive and graphical method that allows accurate estimation of binding potential. In this study, we performed (123)I-PE2I SPECT on healthy volunteers and patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) to validate the Logan graphical method for quantification of (123)I-PE2I binding and to analyze the relationship between (123)I-PE2I SPECT and clinical features of this frequent degenerative disease., Methods: Eight PD patients (3 women, 5 men; mean age, 64 +/- 7.9 y; disease duration range, 1-8 y, Hoehn and Yahr stage range, 1-2.5) and 8 age-matched healthy volunteers (4 women, 4 men; mean age, 61.5 +/- 9.5 y) were included in 2 centers and studied with SPECT. Four sequential SPECT imaging sessions of 15-min duration were performed from 5 to 65 min after bolus injection of 140 +/- 30 MBq of (123)I-PE2I., Results: The kinetics of PE2I in healthy volunteers and PD patients were rapid, and the Logan graphical method allowed quantification of distribution volume ratio (DVR) in the caudate nucleus and putamen. (123)I-PE2I striatal specific binding was significantly reduced in PD patients, compared with healthy volunteers, in the caudate and putamen. The decrease of DVR in the putamen was significantly and inversely correlated to disease duration and Hoehn and Yahr stage. In asymmetric PD patients, (123)I-PE2I uptake was significantly more reduced in the putamen contralateral to the side with predominant clinical symptoms. However, (123)I-PE2I uptake was also significantly reduced in the ipsilateral putamen, compared with that in healthy volunteers, suggesting that (123)I-PE2I SPECT can detect nigrostriatal degeneration before the appearance of clinical symptoms., Conclusion: Our data indicate that the Logan graphical method is accurate for noninvasive quantification of PE2I and that (123)I-PE2I SPECT is a useful quantitative method for accurate estimation of nigrostriatal dopaminergic nerve terminal degeneration. The close relationships between SPECT findings and clinical data suggest that this method is useful for objectively following the progression of PD and for assessing the effect of potential neuroprotective treatments. Finally, our findings suggest that (123)I-PE2I SPECT can be used for preclinical and early diagnosis of PD.

Serotonin transporter has a key-role in regulation of serotoninergic function, and is involved in numerous neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. To obtain an efficient radioactive ligand allowing the study of this transporter in vitro and in vivo, we synthesized a new diphenyl sulfide derivative, N,N-dimethyl-2-(2-amino-4-methylphenylthio)benzylamine or MADAM. We present here extensive pharmacological characterization of this compound. [3H]MADAM bound to serotonin transporters with a very high affinity in vitro on rat cortical membranes, at least 2 times better than the most commonly used radioactive probes (Kd, 60 pM; Bmax, 543 fmol/mg of protein). Competition studies showed few inhibitory effect of nisoxetine (Ki = 270 nM), no inhibitory effect of desipramine or 1-[2-(diphenylmethoxy) ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (GBR 12935) (Ki >1000 nM), and strong effect of paroxetine (Ki = 0.32 nM) and citalopram (Ki = 1.57 nM). Therefore, MADAM has around 1000-fold better selectivity for the serotonin transporter than for other transporters. Autoradiographic studies both on rat and postmortem human brain slices demonstrated that the distribution of [3H]MADAM parallels the localization of serotonin transporters and is prevented by known inhibitors of them. The high affinity and selectivity of [3H]MADAM for the serotonin transporter show that it is very valuable for studies using in vitro approaches. The high selectivity and low nonspecific binding of [3H]MADAM on the postmortem human brain, together with preliminary in vivo results with [11C]MADAM, is a new argument for future use of this ligand in in vivo studies of the distribution, pharmacology, and pathophysiology of the serotonin transporter in the human brain with positron emission tomography.

Chronic dysregulation of dopamine homeostasis has been shown to induce behavioural impairment in dopamine transporter knockout mutant mice arising from the dysfunction of the mesolimbic and hypothalamo-infundibular system. Here, we assessed whether there are also any motor consequences of a chronic and constitutive hyperdopaminergia in the nigrostriatal system in dopamine transporter knockout mutant mice. For this, we analysed motor performances using tests assessing balance, coordinated motor skills (rotarod, pole test), stride lengths and locomotor activity. Dopamine transporter knockout mutant mice were markedly hyperactive in the open field with central compartment avoidance, as previously shown. However, sensorimotor integration was also found to be altered in dopamine transporter knockout mutant mice which displayed a reduced fore- and hind-limb mean stride length, impaired motor coordination on the pole test and reduced rearings in the open field. Moreover, dopamine transporter knockout mutant mice showed a slower task acquisition on the rotarod. Six-week-old dopamine transporter knockout wild type mice having the same femur size as adult dopamine transporter knockout mutant mice ruled out a possible size-effect bias. Whilst there was no significant difference in the striatal volume, we found a slight but significant reduction in neuronal density in the striatum but not in the nucleus accumbens of dopamine transporter knockout mutant mice. There was a reduced binding in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of dopamine(1) receptors ([(3)H]SCH 23390) and dopamine(2) receptors ([(3)H]YM-09151-2). There was no significant difference in the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra between dopamine transporter knockout mutant mice and dopamine transporter knockout wild type mice. These results suggest an impaired functioning of the nigrostriatal system in dopamine transporter knockout mutant hyperdopaminergic mice, as illustrated by motor and sensorimotor integration deficits, despite their apparent hyperactivity. These dysfunctions may arise from combined striatal cell loss and/or functional changes of dopaminergic neurotransmission.

5-Methyl-6-nitroquipazine, a novel analogue of the potent and selective serotonin transporter inhibitor 6-nitroquipazine was synthesized and radiolabeled with tritium and the positron emitter carbon-11. [3H]5-methyl-6-nitroquipazine was found to have a K(d)=51+/-7 pM. The high affinity and the facile labeling of [11C]5-methyl-6-nitroquipazine makes it a promising radioligand for visualization of the serotonin transporter with positron emission tomography.

Radiohalogenated 5-halo-6-nitroquipazine analogues have been shown to be potential radioligands for visualization of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) with PET and SPECT. In the present study a methylated analogue, 5-methyl-6-nitroquipazine (MNQP), was radiolabeled with carbon-11 in a two step reaction via a palladium catalyzed cross coupling reaction between N-t-BOC-protected 5-tributylstannyl-6-nitroquipazine and [(11)C]methyl iodide as key step. [(11)C]MNQP was examined in the cynomolgus monkey brain with positron emission tomography (PET) and the appearance of labeled metabolites in monkey plasma was measured with gradient HPLC. Radioactivity increased continuously in all brain regions during the 90 minutes acquisition time. Highest accumulation of radioactivity was observed in the thalamus and brainstem, regions with a known high density of 5-HTT. The calculated ratios between the thalamus and brainstem to the 5-HTT poor cerebellum were 1.5 and 1.3-1.4, respectively, 80 minutes after radioligand injection. Pretreatment with citalopram prior to the PET measurement markedly reduced the binding in the thalamus and the brainstem. At 15 and 30 minutes after injection of [(11)C]MNQP approximately 90% and 60%, respectively, of radioactivity in plasma represented unchanged radioligand. The slow kinetics and moderate ratios recorded however, may limit its use as a PET radioligand for quantitative studies of the serotonin transporter with PET.

The use of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) appears to be a promising strategy to promote survival and function of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway damaged in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, effective intracerebral administration is required for optimal therapeutic benefit and tools to evaluate such therapies must be developed. A rodent model of PD was therefore developed using striatal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) with simultaneous implantation of GDNF-delivering microspheres. The effects of GDNF released from microspheres were assessed by classical methods such as amphetamine-induced rotating behavior and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity, as well as by quantitative autoradiography using PE2I, a dopamine transporter (DAT) radiotracer, which is also suitable for SPET imaging in humans. 6-OHDA-lesioned animals that received microspheres without GDNF were used as controls. During the first 3 weeks after simultaneous lesion and implantation, the amphetamine-induced rotating behavior of GDNF-treated rats was improved compared to controls and an increase in TH expression (+26%) was measured in the striatum 6 weeks after lesion. In accordance with these results, an increase in striatal PE2I-labeled DAT density was obtained (+17%) after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the neuroprotective action of GDNF delivered by microspheres and suggests that PE2I may be an appropriate radiotracer for use in SPET scintigraphy to follow up treatment of PD in humans., (Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

We hypothesized that the chronic dietary deficiency of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) might affect the density and/or function of dopamine transporters (DAT), which have a major role in regulating the synaptic level of dopamine. This hypothesis was tested by investigating DAT in the striatum using three complementary methods in control and deficient rats. The density of DAT was determined by quantitative autoradiography using [(125)I]PE2I, a specific ligand of this transporter. Functional investigations were performed (i) in vitro by measuring [(3)H]dopamine uptake on synaptosomes, and (ii) in vivo using intracerebral microdialysis. The results demonstrated that neither the density nor the function of DAT were influenced by n-3 PUFA deficiency in the striatum. This suggests lower sensitivity to n-3 PUFA deficiency in the striatum than that previously observed in the frontal cortex.

A series of diphenyl sulfide derivatives substituted at the 1-, 2'-, and 4'-positions has been synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro affinities at the dopamine, serotonin (SERT), and norepinephrine transporters. The examination of K(i) values revealed that most of these derivatives have high affinity and selectivity for the SERT. Moreover, substitutions at these positions differently influence the SERT binding: (i) The nature of the substituent linked at the 1-position critically influences the SERT affinity. (ii) Functions containing heteroatom at the 2'-position afford compounds with high SERT affinity. (iii) The nature of the substituent at the 4'-position slightly influences the SERT affinity whereas steric effect markedly decreases the SERT affinity. From this series, the most SERT selective derivatives (such as 8b, 8c, and 8g) are now evaluated for their potential as positron emission tomography imaging agents when labeled with carbon-11.

Many striatal dopaminergic markers are available for estimating the degree of the nigrostriatal lesion by MPTP/MPP+, but the changes of these markers are not perfectly matched. In this study we investigated different striatal markers and determined which ones closely reflected the nigrostriatal alteration. The in vivo binding of (E)-N-(3-iodoprop-2-enyl)-2-beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4'-methylphenyl)nortropane (PE2I), a selective and potent inhibitor of the neuronal dopamine transporter (DAT) was considered as the reference index of injury of striatal dopaminergic nerve-endings. Rats received a 10-microg MPP+ injection in the right substantia nigra and were killed at 7 days after lesion. The results were as follows: (i) a decrease (66%) of the biodistribution of [125I]PE2I; (ii) a great reduction of the DAT expression measured by the binding of [125I]PE2I in striatal membranes (Bmax decreased by 54%) and in cerebral slices (88%); (iii) an 80% inhibition of the vesicular monoamine transporter expression revealed by the binding of [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine in cerebral slices; (iv) a robust decrease in the quantity of DA and its metabolites (about 50-60%); (v) a slight modification of the DAT activity with a decreased number of functional sites (Vmax decreased by 12%, p < 0.05) without change of the affinity in striatal synaptosomes. Among these markers the binding of [125I]PE2I in membrane homogenates and the content of DA, and its metabolites, in striatum could be the most relevant in vitro indexes of the degenerative state of the nigrostriatal pathway after MPP+ lesion.

The concept of a threshold of dopamine (DA) depletion for onset of Parkinson's disease symptoms, although widely accepted, has, to date, not been determined experimentally in nonhuman primates in which a more rigorous definition of the mechanisms responsible for the threshold effect might be obtained. The present study was thus designed to determine (1) the relationship between Parkinsonian symptom appearance and level of degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway and (2) the concomitant presynaptic and postsynaptic striatal response to the denervation, in monkeys treated chronically with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine according to a regimen that produces a progressive Parkinsonian state. The kinetics of the nigrostriatal degeneration described allow the determination of the critical thresholds associated to symptom appearance, these were a loss of 43.2% of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive neurons at the nigral level and losses of 80.3 and 81.6% DA transporter binding and DA content, respectively, at the striatal level. Our data argue against the concept that an increase in DA metabolism could act as an efficient adaptive mechanism early in the disease progress. Surprisingly, the D(2)-like DA receptor binding showed a biphasic regulation in relation to the level of striatal dopaminergic denervation, i.e., an initial decrease in the presymptomatic period was followed by an upregulation of postsynaptic receptors commencing when striatal dopaminergic homeostasis is broken. Further in vivo follow-up of the kinetics of striatal denervation in this, and similar, experimental models is now needed with a view to developing early diagnosis tools and symptomatic therapies that might enhance endogenous compensatory mechanisms.

The effects of structural modifications of 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-phenyl tropane analogues were evaluated on in vitro affinity to the dopamine (DAT) and serotonin (5-HTT) transporters in rat brain tissue. The introduction of a large alkyl group at the 4'-position of the phenyl ring, affording 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4'-alkylphenyl) tropane, diminished the affinity for the DAT whereas moderate 5-HTT affinity was obtained. The introduction of an iodine at the 3'-position of the 4'-alkylphenyl, affording 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(3'-iodo-4'-alkylphenyl) tropane, and N-demethylation, affording 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(3'-iodo-4'-alkylphenyl) nortropane, improved affinity and specificity for the 5-HTT. It could be assumed from these results that the combination of these three modifications of tropane structure yielded highly selective compounds for the 5-HTT. Of the new compounds synthesized, the most selective cocaine derivative, 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(3'-iodo-4'-isopropylphenyl) nortropane (8d) labeled with iodine-123 or carbon-11, could be a potential ligand for exploration of the 5-HT transporter by SPET or PET.

A dopamine transporter-radioligand binding study demonstrated a dopaminergic innervation around the pallidal complex in the normal monkey (n=5), i.e. where a subpopulation of pallidal neurons known as "border cells" is classically identified. Surprisingly, this peripallidal binding persists in monkeys rendered parkinsonian (n=5) with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine treatment. The border cell electrophysiological activity was then analysed in normal and parkinsonian monkeys (n=2), either in the untreated state or following administration of levodopa. Pallidal border cell firing frequency was significantly decreased after 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine treatment (8.9+/-0.7 vs 31.4+/-1.6Hz, P<0.05). This decrease was partly corrected by levodopa administration (19.2+/-1.0Hz, P<0.05 vs both normal and parkinsonian situations). The peripallidal dopaminergic innervation suggests that pallidal border cells are under a direct dopaminergic control, arising from the ventral tegmental area and/or the basal forebrain magnocellular complex, the role of which remains unknown. Moreover, the relative sparing of these dopaminergic fibers in parkinsonian monkeys suggests that they would exhibit specific adaptive properties totally different from those described in the nigrostriatal pathway.

The role of dopamine as a major modulator of CNS function is well-known, and the homeostasis of dopamine is considered to be of major importance in the pathogenesis of several psychiatric and neurological diseases. Few methods are currently available for in vivo study of dopamine transporter function, which regulates extracellular levels of dopamine. Adapting the 'indicator diffusion' method applied to the microdialysis technique, we present here a suitable method for this functional investigation. We measured the cellular extraction of [3H]-MPP+, which is known to accumulate in the dopaminergic neurones through the DAT in the rat striatum, using [14C]-mannitol as reference substance characterized by absence of cellular accumulation. The cellular extraction was 0.41 and was almost abolished in the presence of the dopamine-uptake inhibitor cocaine, reaching 0.07. This suggested that extraction of [3H]-MPP+ was due to cellular uptake by dopamine transporters. Tissue analysis confirmed that [3H]-MPP+ was internalized in cells and that such transport was stopped by cocaine. Moreover, [3H]-MPP+ extraction was dramatically decreased after lesioning the nigro-striatal pathway with 6-hydroxydopamine, whereas [14C]-mannitol extraction was unchanged. It is concluded that the presented method can be used to study the functioning of the dopamine transporter in live animals.

We studied the effects of a diet chronically deficient in alpha-linolenic acid, the precursor of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, on dopaminergic neurotransmission in the shell region of the nucleus accumbens of rats. In vivo microdialysis experiments showed increased basal levels of dopamine and decreased basal levels of metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), in awake rats from the deficient group compared to controls. The release of dopamine under KCl stimulation was similar in both dietary groups. By contrast, the release of dopamine from the vesicular storage pool under tyramine stimulation was 90% lower in the deficient than in the control rats. Autoradiographic studies in the same cerebral region revealed a 60% reduction in the vesicular monoamine transporter sites in the deficient group. Dopamine D(2) receptors were 35% increased in these rats compared to controls, whereas no change occurred for D(1) receptors and membrane dopamine transporters. These results demonstrated that chronic n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency modifies several factors of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens. These findings are in agreement with the changes in dopaminergic neurotransmission already observed in the frontal cortex, and with the behavioral disturbances described in these deficient rats.

Several positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands based on the aryl tropane structure have been used for studies on monoamine reuptake sites. RTI-364, RTI-330, and RTI-357 (3-beta-(4'-n-propyl-,4'-iso-propyl-, and 4'-iso-propenyl-phenyl)nortropane-2-beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester) are three recently synthesized cocaine analogues with higher affinity for the serotonin (5-HTT) than the dopamine transporter (DAT). Unlabelled RTI-364 and RTI-330 were prepared in a two-step synthesis. The key step was the addition of the appropriate propyl Grignard reagent to anhydroecgonine methyl ester. RTI-357 was prepared in a three-step synthesis with a palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of beta-CIT and isopropenylzinc bromide as key step. Hydrolysis of the ester functions gave the carboxylic acid analogues of RTI-364, RTI-330, and RTI-357, which were labelled with 11C using [11C]methyl iodide in dimethyl formamide (DMF) and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) as base. All three compounds entered the monkey brain in a high degree (approximately 5-10%). There was a low uptake of [11C]RTI-364 in serotonin-rich brain areas, whereas [11C]RTI-330 and [11C]RTI-357 showed a marked uptake of radioactivity in the thalamus and the brainstem, regions known to contain serotonin transporters. Transient equilibrium was reached at 15 and 40 min for [11C]RTI-330 and [11C]RTI-357, respectively. After pretreatment with citalopram, the ratio of radioactivity in the thalamus and the brainstem to the cerebellum were markedly reduced for [11C]RTI-357 but not for [11C]RTI-330. The results indicate that [11C]RTI-357 is a potential PET radioligand for quantitation of the serotonin reuptake site.

The time course of the loss in presynaptic dopamine transporters (DAT) and of the increase in postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) was studied in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. For this, in vitro autoradiographic experiments were performed in the striatum using (E)-N-(3-iodoprop-2-enyl)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4'-methy lphenyl) nortropane (PE2I), a new single photon emission tomography (SPET) ligand for DAT, and iodobenzamide (IBZM), a SPET ligand for D2R. A significant decrease in [125I]PE2I binding was observed as early as 24 h after 6-hydroxydopamine lesion, whereas no change occurred in [125I]IBZM binding. At 48 h postlesion, PE2I binding was 50% decreased, while IBZM binding was 30% increased. Between 3 and 14 days postlesion, PE2I binding had almost totally disappeared and IBZM binding remained increased by around 40-50%. From these animal experiments, it can be assumed that PE2I would be very efficient for the detection of a reduction in the number of DAT reflecting neuronal loss, thus allowing early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. The exploration of both DAT and D2R would improve follow-up of this disease.

Using a new, 125I-labeled, selective high affinity dopamine transporter ligand, N-(3-iodoprop-2E-enyl)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4'-methy lph enyl)nort ropane (PE2I), the distribution of the dopamine transporter was characterized in the normal postmortem human brain using whole hemisphere autoradiography. PE2I was radioiodinated to high specific radioactivity (2200 Ci/mmol, 81 GBq/micromol). PE2I binds to the dopamine transporter with high potency and, in contrast to beta-CIT, it has very low affinities for the serotonin and noradrenaline transporters. The autoradiograms showed very intense binding in basal ganglia (putamen, nucleus caudatus, nucleus accumbens) and lower binding in substantia nigra. Very low or no binding was found in other brain structures, including the neocortex or cerebellum. The labeling of human dopamine transporters with [125I]PE2I was inhibited by the dopamine transporter inhibitors GBR 12909 and beta-CIT, but not by citalopram (serotonin transporter inhibitor) or maprotiline (noradrenaline transporter inhibitor). Possibly due to the relatively high lipophilicity of the compound (theoretical log p = 4.68), it accumulated slightly in white matter. Thus, in vitro autoradiography using [125I]PE2I provided detailed qualitative and quantitative evidence that the dopamine transporter is almost exclusively localized in the basal ganglia of the human brain. Moreover, the autoradiograms indicate that [11C]PE2I and [123I]PE2I should be suitable for the in vivo visualization of the human dopamine transporter with PET or SPECT, respectively., (Copyright 1999 Academic Press.)

The iodine-123 labelled selective ligand N-(3-iodoprop-2E-enyl)-2-beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-methylphenyl) nortropane ([123I]PE2I) was evaluated as a probe for in vivo dopamine transporter imaging in the human brain. Six healthy subjects were imaged with a high-resolution single-photon emission tomography scanner. Striatal radioactivity peaked at 1 h after injection. The background radioactivity was low. The volume of distribution in the striatum was 94+/-24 ml/ml. The results were compared with those of [123I]beta-CIT imaging. There was no significant uptake of [123I]PE2I in serotonin-rich regions such as the midbrain, hypothalamus and anterior gingulus, suggesting that in vivo binding is specific for the dopamine transporter. One main polar metabolite of [123I]PE2I was found in plasma, and the parent plasma concentration decayed rapidly. Radiation exposure to the study subject is 0.022+/-0.004 mSv/MBq (effective dose). The preliminary results suggest that [123I]PE2I is a selective SPET ligand for imaging striatal dopamine transporter density.

N-(3-Iodoprop-2E-enyl)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(3',4'-dichl orophenyl)nortropane (beta-CDIT), a new iodinated tropane derivative, has been synthesized and radiolabeled with iodine. [125I]beta-CDIT was tested in vitro and ex vivo as a probe for the dopamine transporter site in the rat brain, and behavioral studies were performed in mice. Saturation studies in the striatum revealed that [125I]beta-CDIT bound to a single high-affinity site. The Kd value was 0.18 +/- 0.07 nM, and the corresponding Bmax value was 500 +/- 80 fmol/mg of protein. The pharmacological profile of specific [125I]beta-CDIT binding in the striatum was consistent with that of the dopamine transporter. In addition, competition studies in cerebral cortex regions with [3H]paroxetine and [3H]nisoxetine showed a very low affinity of beta-CDIT for the 5-hydroxytryptamine (Ki = 50 nM) and norepinephrine (Ki = 500 nM) transporters compared with beta-CIT (corresponding Ki values were 3 and 80 nM). In contrast, the competition of beta-CDIT with [3H]GBR 12935 in the striatal region (Ki = 29 nM) was of the same order of value as for beta-CIT (Ki = 27.5 nM). Behavioral experiments in mice showed that both beta-CDIT and beta-CIT induced stimulation of locomotor activity. Ex vivo autoradiographic studies in rats using [125I]beta-CDIT demonstrated high densities of [125I]beta-CDIT binding sites in areas known to be rich in dopaminergic innervation. Because of its high affinity and high selectivity for the dopamine transporter, [125I]beta-CDIT should be a valuable ligand for the exploration of the dopamine transporter with single-photon emission computed tomography.

SPECT exploration of the dopamine transporter with tropane derivatives such as beta-CIT has already produced very valuable information in humans. However, the high affinity of this tracer for both dopamine and serotonin transporters and its slow in vivo kinetics provide the best images in humans more than 20 h after injection. In order to improve those properties, we performed structural changes in the tropane structure in the phenyl and nitrogen substituents for higher affinity and specificity and obtained a promising ligand, 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(3',4' diclorophenyl)-8-(3-iodoprop-2E-enyl) nortropane (beta-CDIT). This iodinated ligand was characterized in vitro and in vivo in the rat in comparison with beta-CIT. In vitro competition studies revealed that beta-CIT and beta-CDIT similarly inhibited the binding of [3H]GBR 12935 (Ki = 27.5 and 29.0 nM, respectively). In contrast, competition studies with [3H]paroxetine and [3H]nisoxetine showed that beta-CDIT had a lower affinity for the serotonin transporter than beta-CIT (Ki = 50 and 3 nM, respectively) and also a lower affinity for the noradrenaline transporter than beta-CIT (Ki = 500 and 80 nM, respectively). In vivo studies in the rat showed that there was high and rapid uptake of [125I] beta-CDIT in the striatum. In addition, preinjection of GBR 12909 prevented accumulation of this ligand in the striatum by 80%, whereas only a 30% decrease was obtained for [125I] beta-CIT. It seems, therefore, that the combination of aromatic and nitrogen substitution improves the properties of tropane derivatives to provide an exclusive dopamine transporter ligand potentially usable in SPECT.

Two novel series of iodinated N-substituted analogs of 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4'-iodophenyl)tropane (beta-CIT) and N-(3-iodoprop-(2E)-enyl)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(3',4'-dis ubstituted phenyl)nortropane were synthesized. They were evaluated for their inhibitory properties on dopamine (DA(T)), serotonin (5-HT(T)), and norepinephrine (NE(T)) transporters in rat brain homogenates using [3H]GBR-12935, [3H]paroxetine, and [3H]nisoxetine as specific ligands. All new N-substituted analogs of beta-CIT exhibited higher DAT selectivity over both 5-HT(T) and NE(T) than beta-CIT. Moreover compounds with the N-substituents propynyl (6), crotyl (4), 2-bromoprop-(2E)-enyl (5), and 3-iodoprop-(2E)-enyl (3d) showed similar to higher DA(T) affinities than beta-CIT (respectively 14, 15, 30, and 30 nM vs 27 nM). Compound 3d was found to be the most selective DA(T) agent of this series (5-HTT/DA(T) = 32.0 vs 0.1 for beta-CIT). The N-(3-iodoprop-(2E)-enyl) chain linked to the tropane nitrogen was therefore maintained on the tropane structure, and phenyl substitution was carried out in order to improve DA(T) affinity. K(i) values of N-(3-iodoprop-(2E)-enyl)-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(3',4'-dis ubstituted phenyl)nortropanes revealed that phenyl, 4'-isopropyl, and 4'-n-propyl derivatives weakly inhibited specific binding to DA(T), whereas phenyl substitution with 4'-methyl (3c), 3',4'-dichloro (3b), and 4'-iodo (3d) yielded high-DA(T) reuptake agents with increased DA(T) selectivity compared to beta-CIT. These results demonstrate that the combination of a nitrogen and a phenyl substitution yields compounds with high affinity and selectivity for the dopamine transporter which are usable as SPECT markers for DA neurons.

The serotonin reuptake process is observed in the central nervous system and in cells derived from the neural crest. It would therefore be of great interest to visualize this reuptake for brain exploration and to visualize the tumors derived from these cells (Apudome). Fluvoxamine has been described as a specific uptake inhibitor for serotonin uptake and we therefore supposed that an iodinated derivative of this compound would be a suitable tracer for this purpose. We had shown by computer-assisted investigation that the trifluoromethyl group of fluvoxamine can be replaced by iodine without changing the steric hindrance of the structure. We therefore expected that this result would allow the development of a new iodinated ligand for human exploration by SPECT which would inhibit for the serotoninergic transporter. This new ligand is 4'-iodo-5-methoxyvalerophenone O-(2-aminoethyl)oxime in its E configuration. In vitro binding studies demonstrated that this iodinated ligand has a weaker affinity for the serotonin uptake sites than fluvoxamine. Steric hindrance is not sufficient to predict affinity, other structural factors such as electronic density and dipole moment must be considered to explain the biological difference between fluvoxamine and its iodinated analog.