High Resolution Research Tomograph Research Articles

NEUROINFLAMMATION IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE: A STUDY WITH [11C]PBR28 PET AND CEREBROSPINAL FLUID MARKERS

ObjectiveTo investigate neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s disease (PD) with [11C]PBR28 positron emission tomography (PET) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, and the relationship to dopaminergic functioning measured with 6-[18F]-fluoro-L-dopa ([18F]FDOPA) PET. MethodsThe clinical cohort consisted of 20 subjects with PD and 51 healthy controls (HC). All HC and 15 PD participants underwent [11C]PBR28 High Resolution Research Tomograph (HRRT) PET for the quantitative assessment of cerebral binding to the translocator protein (TSPO), a neuroinflammation marker. CSF samples were available from 17 subjects with PD and 21 HC and were examined for soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2), chitinase 3-like 1 protein (YKL-40), neurogranin (NG), alpha-synuclein (aSyn) and oligo-alpha-synuclein. All subjects with PD underwent [18F]FDOPA HRRT PET. ResultsWhile the subjects with PD and HC did not differ in the total volume of distribution (VT) of [11C]PBR28 in any studied brain regions, higher levels of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration CSF biomarkers sTREM2 and NG, respectively were associated with more severe motor symptoms evaluated by The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale motor part (UPDRS-III) (r = 0.52, p=0.041 and r = 0.59, p=0.016 respectively). Additionally, in the PD group increased [11C]PBR28 VT in the basal ganglia and substantia nigra (SN) was related to higher levels of neuroinflammation biomarker YKL-40 (p <0.01). ConclusionAssociations between CSF biomarkers, motor disability and [11C]PBR28 VT in the striatum and SN may support a role for neuroinflammation in PD.

First-in-Human Study of 18F-SynVesT-2: An SV2A PET Imaging Probe with Fast Brain Kinetics and High Specific Binding.

PET imaging of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A allows for noninvasive quantification of synapses. This first-in-human study aimed to evaluate the kinetics, test-retest reproducibility, and extent of specific binding of a recently developed synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A PET ligand, (R)-4-(3-(18F-fluoro)phenyl)-1-((3-methylpyridin-4-yl)methyl)pyrrolidine-2-one (18F-SynVesT-2), with fast brain kinetics. Methods: Nine healthy volunteers participated in this study and were scanned on a High Resolution Research Tomograph scanner with 18F-SynVesT-2. Five volunteers were scanned twice on 2 different days. Five volunteers were rescanned with preinjected levetiracetam (20 mg/kg, intravenously). Arterial blood was collected to calculate the plasma free fraction and generate the arterial input function. Individual MR images were coregistered to a brain atlas to define regions of interest for generating time-activity curves, which were fitted with 1- and 2-tissue-compartment (1TC and 2TC) models to derive the regional distribution volume (V T). The regional nondisplaceable binding potential (BP ND) was calculated from 1TC V T, using the centrum semiovale (CS) as the reference region. Results: 18F-SynVesT-2 was synthesized with high molar activity (187 ± 69 MBq/nmol, n = 19). The parent fraction of 18F-SynVesT-2 in plasma was 28% ± 8% at 30 min after injection, and the plasma free fraction was high (0.29 ± 0.04). 18F-SynVesT-2 entered the brain quickly, with an SUVpeak of 8 within 10 min after injection. Regional time-activity curves fitted well with both the 1TC and the 2TC models; however, V T was estimated more reliably using the 1TC model. The 1TC V T ranged from 1.9 ± 0.2 mL/cm3 in CS to 7.6 ± 0.8 mL/cm3 in the putamen, with low absolute test-retest variability (6.0% ± 3.6%). Regional BP ND ranged from 1.76 ± 0.21 in the hippocampus to 3.06 ± 0.29 in the putamen. A 20-min scan was sufficient to provide reliable V T and BP ND Conclusion: 18F-SynVesT-2 has fast kinetics, high specific uptake, and low nonspecific uptake in the brain. Consistent with the nonhuman primate results, the kinetics of 18F-SynVesT-2 is faster than the kinetics of 11C-UCB-J and 18F-SynVesT-1 in the human brain and enables a shorter dynamic scan to derive physiologic information on cerebral blood flow and synapse density.

Imaging a putative marker of brain cortisol regulation in alcohol use disorder

BackgroundStress is a potent activator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, initiating the release of glucocorticoid hormones, such as cortisol. Alcohol consumption can lead to HPA axis dysfunction, including altered cortisol levels. Until recently, research has only been able to examine peripheral cortisol associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in humans. We used positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging with the radiotracer [18F]AS2471907 to measure 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), a cortisol-regenerating enzyme, in people with AUD compared to healthy controls. MethodsWe imaged 9 individuals with moderate to severe AUD (5 men, 4 women; mean age = 38 years) and 12 healthy controls (8 men, 4 women; mean age = 29 years). Participants received 93.5 ± 15.6 MBq of the 11β-HSD1 inhibitor radiotracer [18F]AS2471907 as a bolus injection and were imaged for 150–180 min on the High-Resolution Research Tomograph. 11β-HSD1 availability was quantified by [18F]AS2471907 volume of distribution (VT; mL/cm3). A priori regions of interest included amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), hippocampus, ventromedial PFC (vmPFC) and caudate. ResultsIndividuals with AUD consumed 52.4 drinks/week with 5.8 drinking days/week. Healthy controls consumed 2.8 drinks/week with 1.3 drinking days/week. Preliminary findings suggest that [18F]AS2471907 VT was higher in amygdala, ACC, hippocampus, vmPFC, and caudate of those with AUD compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). In AUD, vmPFC [18F]AS2471907 VT was associated with drinks per week (r = 0.81, p = 0.01) and quantity per drinking episode (r = 0.75, p = 0.02). ConclusionsThis is the first in vivo examination of 11β-HSD1 availability in individuals with AUD. Our data suggest higher brain availability of the cortisol-regenerating enzyme 11β-HSD1 in people with AUD (vs. controls), and that higher vmPFC 11β-HSD1 availability is related to greater alcohol consumption. Thus, in addition to the literature suggesting that people with AUD have elevated peripheral cortisol, our findings suggest there may also be heightened central HPA activity. These findings set the foundation for future hypotheses on mechanisms related to HPA axis function in this population.

Plasma biomarkers in relation to spatial distribution of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical utility of plasma biomarkers will in part be based on the information they convey regarding the distribution of neuropathology, especially beyond the information provided by demographics. We examined the associations of plasma biomarkers with cerebral amyloid and tau pathology determined by positron emission tomography (PET).MethodIn the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, plasma Aß42/Aß40, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations were measured using Quanterix Simoa assays. Plasma concentrations of phosphorylated tau at threonine 181 (p‐tau181) and at 231 (p‐tau231) were measured using in‐house Simoa assays at University of Gothenburg. Using voxelwise linear regression models, we investigated cross‐sectional associations of plasma biomarkers with brain fibrillar amyloid and phosphorylated tau pathology as measured by PET with 11C‐Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) conducted on a GE Advance scanner (N = 189) and 18F‐flortaucipir (FTP) conducted on a Siemens High Resolution Research Tomograph (N = 107), respectively. In addition to unadjusted analyses, we conducted analyses adjusting for age, sex, and race. Results were corrected for multiple comparisons using permutation test‐based threshold‐free cluster enhancement (TFCE).ResultLower plasma Aß42/Aß40 was associated with higher PiB distribution volume ratio (DVR) in the unadjusted model, but not in the adjusted model (Figure 1). The remaining plasma biomarkers exhibited statistically significant positive associations with PiB DVR in both unadjusted and adjusted models. The plasma biomarker with the strongest and most widespread association with PiB DVR was p‐tau231 (Figure 2). Both p‐tau biomarkers exhibited statistically significant associations with FTP standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) in both unadjusted and adjusted models. Aß42/Aß40, GFAP, and NfL did not exhibit statistically significant associations with FTP SUVR. Associations of p‐tau biomarkers with PiB DVR were stronger and more widespread than with FTP SUVR. We did not find any statistically significant associations when we repeated the analyses separately by binary PiB group.ConclusionPlasma biomarkers convey information beyond age, sex, and race in relation to the cerebral distribution of amyloid, and to a lesser extent, tau. The smaller sample size of our FTP PET study might in part explain the weaker associations we observed with FTP SUVR compared to PiB DVR.

Relationships of in vivo brain norepinephrine transporter and age, BMI, and gender.

Previous research reported an age-related decline in brain norepinephrine transporter (NET) using (S, S)-[11C]O-methylreboxetine ([11C]MRB) as a radiotracer. Studies with the same tracer have been mixed in regard to differences related to body mass index (BMI). Here, we investigated potential age-, BMI-, and gender-related differences in brain NET availability using [11C]MRB, the most selective available radiotracer. Forty-three healthy participants (20 females, 23 males; age range 18-49 years), including 12 individuals with normal/lean weight, 15 with overweight, and 16 with obesity were scanned with [11C]MRB using a positron emission tomography (PET) high-resolution research tomograph (HRRT). We evaluated binding potential (BPND ) in brain regions with high NET availability using multilinear reference tissue model 2 (MRTM2) with the occipital cortex as a reference region. Brain regions were delineated with a defined anatomic template applied to subjects' structural MR scans. We found a negative association between age and NET availability in the locus coeruleus, raphe nucleus, and hypothalamus, with a 17%, 19%, and 14% decrease per decade, respectively, in each region. No gender or BMI relationships with NET availability were observed. Our findings suggest an age-related decline, but no BMI- or gender-related differences, in NET availability in healthy adults.

Adaptive data-driven motion detection and optimized correction for brain PET

Head motion during PET scans causes image quality degradation, decreased concentration in regions with high uptake and incorrect outcome measures from kinetic analysis of dynamic datasets. Previously, we proposed a data-driven method, center of tracer distribution (COD), to detect head motion without an external motion tracking device. There, motion was detected using one dimension of the COD trace with a semiautomatic detection algorithm, requiring multiple user defined parameters and manual intervention. In this study, we developed a new data-driven motion detection algorithm, which is automatic, self-adaptive to noise level, does not require user-defined parameters and uses all three dimensions of the COD trace (3DCOD). 3DCOD was first validated and tested using 30 simulation studies (18F-FDG, N = 15; 11C-raclopride (RAC), N = 15) with large motion. The proposed motion correction method was tested on 22 real human datasets, with 20 acquired from a high resolution research tomograph (HRRT) scanner (18F-FDG, N = 10; 11C-RAC, N = 10) and 2 acquired from the Siemens Biograph mCT scanner. Real-time hardware-based motion tracking information (Vicra) was available for all real studies and was used as the gold standard. 3DCOD was compared to Vicra, no motion correction (NMC), one-direction COD (our previous method called 1DCOD) and two conventional frame-based image registration (FIR) algorithms, i.e., FIR1 (based on predefined frames reconstructed with attenuation correction) and FIR2 (without attenuation correction) for both simulation and real studies. For the simulation studies, 3DCOD yielded -2.3 ± 1.4% (mean ± standard deviation across all subjects and 11 brain regions) error in region of interest (ROI) uptake for 18F-FDG (-3.4 ± 1.7% for 11C-RAC across all subjects and 2 regions) as compared to Vicra (perfect correction) while NMC, FIR1, FIR2 and 1DCOD yielded -25.4 ± 11.1% (-34.5 ± 16.1% for 11C- RAC), -13.4 ± 3.5% (-16.1 ± 4.6%), -5.7 ± 3.6% (-8.0 ± 4.5%) and -2.6 ± 1.5% (-5.1 ± 2.7%), respectively. For real HRRT studies, 3DCOD yielded -0.3 ± 2.8% difference for 18F-FDG (-0.4 ± 3.2% for 11C-RAC) as compared to Vicra while NMC, FIR1, FIR2 and 1DCOD yielded -14.9 ± 9.0% (-24.5 ± 14.6%), -3.6 ± 4.9% (-13.4 ± 14.3%), -0.6 ± 3.4% (-6.7 ± 5.3%) and -1.5 ± 4.2% (-2.2 ± 4.1%), respectively. In summary, the proposed motion correction method yielded comparable performance to the hardware-based motion tracking method for multiple tracers, including very challenging cases with large frequent head motion, in studies performed on a non-TOF scanner.

PET Imaging of VMAT2 with the Novel Radioligand [18F]FE-DTBZ-d4 in Nonhuman Primates: Comparison with [11C]DTBZ and [18F]FE-DTBZ.

The vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) is believed to be responsible for the uptake of monoamines into the vesicles of the synaptic terminals. Two VMAT2 radioligands [11C]DTBZ and [18F]FP-DTBZ have been used to assess the degree of nigrostriatal deficit in Parkinson’s disease (PD) using positron emission tomography (PET). [18F]FE-DTBZ-d4, the nondeuterated analogue of [18F]FE-DTBZ showed similar imaging properties with better stability against defluorination. Therefore, [18F]FE-DTBZ-d4 draws attention to be investigated as an imaging marker for VMAT2 in the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the brain kinetics and quantification of [18F]FE-DTBZ-d4 in nonhuman primates (NHPs), with comparison to [11C]DTBZ and [18F]FE-DTBZ. Radiolabeling was successfully achieved either by one-step 11C-methylation or by a two-step fluorine-18 nucleophilic substitution reaction. The stability and radiochemical yield were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Three female cynomolgus monkeys were included in the study and underwent a total of 12 positron emission tomography (PET) measurements. Each monkey was examined with each tracer. In addition, two pretreatment and one displacement PET measurements with tetrabenazine (2.0 mg/kg) were performed for [18F]FE-DTBZ-d4. All PET measurements were conducted using a high-resolution research tomograph (HRRT) system. Radiometabolites were measured in monkey plasma using gradient radio-HPLC. [18F]FE-DTBZ-d4 (SUV: 4.28 ± 1.01) displayed higher brain uptake compared to both [18F]FE-DTBZ (SUV: 3.43 ± 0.54) and [11C]DTBZ (SUV: 3.06 ± 0.32) and faster washout. Binding potential (BPND) values of [18F]FE-DTBZ-d4 in different brain regions (putamen: 5.5 ± 1.4; caudate: 4.4 ± 1.1; midbrain: 1.4 ± 0.4) were higher than those of [11C]DTBZ and [18F]FE-DTBZ. [18F]FE-DTBZ showed faster radiometabolism in plasma compared to [11C]DTBZ and [18F]FE-DTBZ-d4. [18F]FE-DTBZ-d4 is a suitable radioligand for quantification of VMAT2 in the nonhuman primate brain, with better imaging properties than [11C]DTBZ and [18F]FE-DTBZ. A preliminary comparison suggests that [18F]FE-DTBZ-d4 has increased stability against defluorination compared to the nondeuterated analogue.

In vivo evidence of lower synaptic vesicle density in schizophrenia.

Decreased synaptic spine density has been the most consistently reported postmortem finding in schizophrenia (SCZ). A recently developed in vivo measure of synaptic vesicle density estimated using the novel positron emission tomography (PET) ligand [11C]UCB-J is a proxy measure of synaptic density. In this study wedetermined whether[11C]UCB-J binding,an in vivo measure of synaptic vesicle density, is altered in SCZ. SCZ patients (n = 13, 3 F) and age-, gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) (n = 15, 3 F) underwent PET imaging using [11C]UCB-J and high-resolution research tomography (HRRT). [11C]UCB-J distribution volume (VT) and binding potential (BPND) were estimated using a 1T model with centrum-semiovale as the reference region. Relative to HCs, SCZ patients, showed significantly lower [11C]UCB-J BPND with significant differences in the frontal cortex (-10%, Cohen's d = 1.01), anterior cingulate (-11%, Cohen's d = 1.24), hippocampus (-15%, Cohen's d = 1.29), occipital cortex (-14%, Cohen'sd = 1.34), parietal cortex (-10%, p = 0.03, Cohen's d = 0.85)and temporal cortex (-11%, Cohen'sd = 1.23). These differences remained significant after partial volume correction. [11C]UCB-J BPND did not correlate with cumulative antipsychotic exposure or gray-matter volume. Consistent with the postmortem and in vivo findings, synaptic vesicle density is lower across several brain regions in SCZ. Frontal synaptic vesicle density correlated with psychosis symptom severity and cognitive performance on social cognition and processing speed. These findings indicate that [11C]UCB-J PET is a sensitive tool to detect lowersynaptic density in SCZ and holds promise for future studies of early detection and disease progression.

Cross-validation study between the HRRT and the PET component of the SIGNA PET/MRI system with focus on neuroimaging

BackgroundThe Siemens high-resolution research tomograph (HRRT - a dedicated brain PET scanner) is to this day one of the highest resolution PET scanners; thus, it can serve as useful benchmark when evaluating performance of newer scanners. Here, we report results from a cross-validation study between the HRRT and the whole-body GE SIGNA PET/MR focusing on brain imaging.Phantom data were acquired to determine recovery coefficients (RCs), % background variability (%BG), and image voxel noise (%). Cross-validation studies were performed with six healthy volunteers using [11C]DTBZ, [11C]raclopride, and [18F]FDG. Line profiles, regional time-activity curves, regional non-displaceable binding potentials (BPND) for [11C]DTBZ and [11C]raclopride scans, and radioactivity ratios for [18F]FDG scans were calculated and compared between the HRRT and the SIGNA PET/MR.ResultsPhantom data showed that the PET/MR images reconstructed with an ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) algorithm with time-of-flight (TOF) and TOF + point spread function (PSF) + filter revealed similar RCs for the hot spheres compared to those obtained on the HRRT reconstructed with an ordinary Poisson-OSEM algorithm with PSF and PSF + filter. The PET/MR TOF + PSF reconstruction revealed the highest RCs for all hot spheres. Image voxel noise of the PET/MR system was significantly lower. Line profiles revealed excellent spatial agreement between the two systems. BPND values revealed variability of less than 10% for the [11C]DTBZ scans and 19% for [11C]raclopride (based on one subject only). Mean [18F]FDG ratios to pons showed less than 12% differences.ConclusionsThese results demonstrated comparable performances of the two systems in terms of RCs with lower voxel-level noise (%) present in the PET/MR system. Comparison of in vivo human data confirmed the comparability of the two systems. The whole-body GE SIGNA PET/MR system is well suited for high-resolution brain imaging as no significant performance degradation was found compared to that of the reference standard HRRT.

Improved Detection of Postoperative Residual Meningioma with [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET Imaging Using a High-resolution Research Tomograph PET Scanner.

PET with somatostatin receptor ligand [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-D-Phe1-Tyr3-octreotide ([68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC) is an established method in radiotherapy planning because of the improved detection and delineation of meningioma tissue. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of supplementary [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET in patients with a 3-month postoperative MRI reporting gross-total resection (GTR). Thirty-seven patients with a histologically proven meningioma and GTR on postoperative MRI were prospectively referred to [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET. Detection and volume measurements of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC-avid lesions in relation to the primary tumor site were recorded. Residual tumor in suspicious lesions suggested by [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET was verified by (i) tumor recurrence/progression on subsequent MRI scans according to the Response Assessment of Neuro-Oncology criteria, (ii) subsequent histology, and (iii) follow-up [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET scan. Twenty-three PET scans demonstrated [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC-avid lesions suspicious of residual meningioma, where 18 could be verified by (i) tumor progression on subsequent MRI scans (n = 6), (ii) histologic confirmation (n = 3), and (iii) follow-up [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET scans confirming the initial PET findings (n = 9) after an overall median follow-up time of 17 months (range, 9-35 months). In contrast, disease recurrence was seen in only 2 of 14 patients without [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC-avid lesions (P < 0.0001). The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET in detecting meningioma residue was 90% [95% confidence interval (CI), 67-99], 92% (95% CI, 62-100), and 90% (95% CI, 74-98; P < 0.0001), respectively. The majority of patients with GTR on 3-month postoperative MRI may have small unrecognized meningioma residues that can be detected using [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET.

Dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in cocaine use disorder individuals with obesity as measured by [11C]PHNO PET

BackgroundPositron emission tomography (PET) work with the dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) preferring ligand [11C]PHNO in obese individuals has demonstrated higher binding and positive correlations with body mass index (BMI) in otherwise healthy individuals. These findings implicated brain reward areas including the substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA) and pallidum. In cocaine use disorder (CUD), similar SN/VTA binding profiles have been found compared to healthy control subjects. This study investigates whether BMI-[11C]PHNO relationships are similar in individuals with CUD. MethodsNon-obese CUD subjects (N = 12) were compared to age-matched obese CUD subjects (N = 14). All subjects underwent [11C]PHNO acquisition using a High Resolution Research Tomograph PET scanner. Parametric images were computed using the simplified reference tissue model with cerebellum as the reference region. [11C]PHNO measures of receptor availability were calculated and expressed as non-displaceable binding potential (BPND). ResultsIn between-group analyses, D2/3R availability in non-obese and obese CUD groups was not significantly different overall. BMI was inversely correlated withBPND in the SN/VTA (r = -0.45, p = 0.02 uncorrected) in all subjects. ConclusionThese data suggest that obesity in CUD was not associated with significant differences in D2/3R availability. This in contrast to previous findings in non-CUD individuals that found increased availability of D3Rs in the SN/VTA associated with obesity. These findings could potentially reflect dysregulation of D3R in CUD, impacting how affected individuals respond to natural stimuli such as food.

Effects of sevoflurane anaesthesia on radioligand binding to monoamine oxidase-B in vivo

BackgroundThe molecular actions underlying the clinical effects of inhaled anaesthetics such as sevoflurane and isoflurane are not fully understood. Unexpected observations in positron emission tomography (PET) studies with [11C]AZD9272, a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) radioligand with possible affinity for monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), suggest that its binding is sensitive to anaesthesia with sevoflurane. The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of sevoflurane anaesthesia on the binding of [11C]AZD9272 and of [11C]L-deprenyl-D2, a radioligand selective for MAO-B in non-human primates (NHPs). MethodsAltogether, 12 PET measurements were conducted with a high-resolution research tomograph using the ligands [11C]AZD9272 or [11C]L-deprenyl-D2 in six cynomolgus monkeys anaesthetised with sevoflurane or ketamine/xylazine. ResultsThe specific binding of [11C]AZD9272 and [11C]L-deprenyl-D2 was markedly reduced during anaesthesia with sevoflurane compared with ketamine/xylazine. The reduction was 80–90% (n=3) for [11C]AZD9272 and 77–80% (n=3) for [11C]L-deprenyl-D2. ConclusionsSevoflurane anaesthesia inhibited radioligand binding to MAO-B in the primate brain. The observation of lower MAO-B binding at clinically relevant concentrations of sevoflurane warrants further exploration of the potential role of MAO-B related mechanisms in regulation of systemic blood pressure during anaesthesia.

M7. LOWER THALAMIC DOPAMINE D2-RECEPTOR BINDING IN DRUG-NAIVE PATIENTS WITH PSYCHOSIS – A REPLICATION STUDY USING POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY

BackgroundThe dopamine system is a central focus of research on the pathophysiology and treatment of schizophrenia. With regard to the dopamine D2-receptor (D2-R), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies have shown a small increase in striatal receptor availability. In contrast, a more recent line of research has demonstrated lower levels of D2-R (Cohen’s D = -0.32) in the thalamus, a region of key interest for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, some studies included patients previously on antipsychotic medication, or were performed using radioligands with suboptimal affinity for the much lower D2-R density in thalamus compared to striatum. In addition, the resolution of previous PET systems has not allowed for a more detailed analysis of functional thalamic subregions. Here we examined a fully antipsychotic-naïve sample of first-episode psychosis patients using the high-affinity D2-R radioligand [11C]FLB457 and high-resolution PET. The aim was to a) replicate previous findings of lower D2-R in thalamus in patients and b) specifically examine patient-control differences in thalamic subregions based on their cortical connectivity.MethodsNineteen antipsychotic-naïve first episode psychosis patients (mean age = 29.3; sd = 6.3, 11 males) and 19 age- and sex matched healthy comparison subjects were included in the analysis. PET measurements were obtained using a High Resolution Research Tomograph (HRRT). A ROI for whole thalamus was defined using the FSL Harvard Oxford Subcortical Atlas, whereas ROIs for thalamic subregions were based on the Oxford Thalamic Connectivity Atlas. Binding potential (BPND) was calculated using the Logan graphical analysis with cerebellum as reference region. The statistical analyses, which were all pre-registered, were performed using frequentist and Bayesian paired-samples t-tests.ResultsThe frequentist paired t-test showed that patients had significantly lower binding than control subjects in whole thalamus (Cohen’s D = -0.479, p = 0.026). Bayes factor from the Bayesian paired t-test indicated that there was approximately 5 times more support for the hypothesis of lower BPND in patients, compared to the null hypothesis of no difference. Among subregions, the ROI corresponding to prefrontal thalamic connectivity showed the largest effect (Cohen’s D = -0.527, p = 0.017), and Bayes factor indicated that there was 6 times more support for lower BPND in patients compared to no difference.DiscussionUsing high resolution PET and a high affinity D2-R radioligand in antipsychotic-naïve first-episode psychosis patients, this study replicates the previously reported meta-analytical effect size of lower thalamic receptor availability in patients. The strongest effect was observed in the subregion dominated by connections to prefrontal cortex. The findings may reflect a dysregulation of the thalamic dopamine system in schizophrenia, which in turn could underlie aberrant functional connectivity in key fronto-thalamic circuits.

Body Mass Index and Age Effects on Brain 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1: a Positron Emission Tomography Study.

Cortisol, a glucocorticoid steroid stress hormone, is primarily responsible for stimulating gluconeogenesis in the liver and promoting adipocyte differentiation and maturation. Prolonged excess cortisol leads to visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, memory dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and more severe Alzheimer's disease phenotypes. The intracellular enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) catalyzes the conversion of inactive cortisone to active cortisol; yet the amount of 11β-HSD1 in the brain has not been quantified directly in vivo. We analyzed positron emission tomography (PET) scans with an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor radioligand in twenty-eight individuals (23M/5F): 10 lean, 13 overweight, and 5 obese individuals. Each individual underwent PET imaging on the high-resolution research tomograph PET scanner after injection of 11C-AS2471907 (n= 17) or 18F-AS2471907 (n= 11). Injected activity and mass doses were 246 ± 130MBq and 0.036 ± 0.039μg, respectively, for 11C-AS2471907, and 92 ± 15MBq and 0.001 ± 0.001μg for 18F-AS2471907. Correlations of mean whole brain and regional distribution volume (VT) with body mass index (BMI) and age were performed with a linear regression model. Significant correlations of whole brain mean VT with BMI and age (VT = 15.23-0.63 × BMI + 0.27 × Age, p = 0.001) were revealed. Age-adjusted mean whole brain VT values were significantly lower in obese individuals. Post hoc region specific analyses revealed significantly reduced mean VT values in the thalamus (lean vs. overweight and lean vs. obese individuals). Caudate, hypothalamus, parietal lobe, and putamen also showed lower VT value in obese vs. lean individuals. A significant age-associated increase of 2.7mL/cm3 per decade was seen in BMI-corrected mean whole brain VT values. In vivo PET imaging demonstrated, for the first time, correlation of higher BMI (obesity) with lower levels of the enzyme 11β-HSD1 in the brain and correlation of increased 11β-HSD1 levels in the brain with advancing age.

High-resolution PET imaging reveals subtle impairment of the serotonin transporter in an early non-depressed Parkinson\u2019s disease cohort

PurposeThe serotonin transporter (SERT) is a biochemical marker for monoaminergic signaling in brain and has been suggested to be involved inthe pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of this PET study was to examine SERT availability in relevant brain regions in early stages ofnon-depressed PD patients.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, 18 PD patients (13 M/5F, 64 ± 7 years, range 46–74 years, disease duration 2.9 ± 2.6 years; UPDRS motor 21.9 ± 5.2) and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy control (HC) subjects (15 M/5F, 61 ± 7 years, range 50–72 years) were included. In a subsequent longitudinal phase, ten of the PD patients (7 M/3F, UPDRS motor 20.6 ± 6.9) underwent a second PET measurement after 18–24 months. After a 3-T MRI acquisition, baseline PET measurements were performed with [11C]MADAM using a high-resolution research tomograph. The non-displaceablebinding potential (BPND) was chosen as the outcome measure and was estimated at voxel level on wavelet-aided parametric images, by using the Logan graphical analysis and the cerebellum as reference region. A molecular template was generated to visualize and define different subdivisions of the raphe nuclei in the brainstem. Subortical and cortical regions of interest were segmented using FreeSurfer. Univariate analyses and multivariate network analyses were performed on the PET data.ResultsThe univariate region-based analysis showed no differences in SERT levels when the PD patients were compared with the HC neither at baseline or after 2 years of follow-up. The multivariate network analysis also showed no differences at baseline. However, prominent changes in integration and segregation measures were observed at follow-up, indicating a disconnection of the cortical and subcortical regions from the three nuclei of the raphe.ConclusionWe conclude that the serotoninergic system in PD patients seems to become involved with a network dysregulation as the disease progresses, suggesting a disturbed serotonergic signaling from raphe nuclei to target subcortical and cortical regions.

Ethnic disparities in pain processing among healthy adults: μ-opioid receptor binding potential as a putative mechanism.

Although ethnic differences in pain perception are well documented, the underlying mechanism for these outcomes has not been established. µ-opioid receptor (MOR) function might contribute to this disparity, given that MORs play a key role in pain sensitivity and modulation. However, no study has characterized ethnic differences in MOR physiology. This study sought to address this knowledge gap by examining differences in µ-selective agonist binding potential (BPND; [C]-Carfentanil) between 27 non-Hispanic black (NHB) and 27 demographically similar, non-Hispanic white participants. Participants completed questionnaires and two 90-minute high-resolution research tomograph positron emission tomography (PET) imaging sessions. During PET imaging, a capsaicin or control cream was applied to individuals' arms, and pain ratings were collected. Bonferroni-corrected PET volumes of interest analyses revealed significantly greater [C]-Carfentanil BPND among NHB participants in bilateral ventral striatum ([left]: F1,52 = 16.38, P < 0.001; [right]: F1,52 = 21.76, P < 0.001), bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex ([left] F1,52 = 17.3, P < 0.001; [right]: F1,52 = 14.17, P < 0.001), bilateral subgenual anterior cingulate cortex ([left]: F1,52 = 10.4, P = 0.002; [right]: F1,52 = 12.91, P = 0.001), and right insula (F1,52 = 11.0, P = 0.002). However, there were no significant main effects of condition or ethnicity × condition interaction effects across models, likely attributable to individual variability in the direction of change within groups. BPND values were significantly correlated with pain ratings collected during the capsaicin condition (r range = 0.34-0.46, P range = 0.01-0.001). Results suggest that NHB individuals might have generally greater unoccupied MOR density than non-Hispanic white peers. Findings have implications for physiological differences underlying ethnicity-related pain disparities. If replicated, these results further emphasize the need for tailored treatments in historically underserved populations.

Comparison of a Standard Resolution PET-CT Scanner With an HRRT Brain Scanner for Imaging Small Tumors Within the Head

We compared a conventional PET-CT scanner (Siemens Biograph TruePoint TrueV) with and without resolution modeling (RM) image reconstruction with a high resolution research tomograph (HRRT) in order to assess the utility of conventional scanners for brain scanning. A modified Esser phantom and 6 neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) patients with vestibular schwannomas (VS) were scanned using both scanners. The phantom was filled with fluorine-18 (40 MBq, 4:1 contrast ratio) and scanned for 60 min on separate occasions. Patients were injected with ~200 MBq of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and [18F]fluorothymidine (FLT) on separate occasions and scanned for three consecutive 30 min periods moving between scanners. The HRRT images, although noisier, resulted in higher contrast recovery for the smallest cylindrical inserts in comparison to TrueV with and without RM. With the TrueV, higher uptake values were observed in VS lesions with both FDG and FLT which is consistent with greater spill-in from the brain for FDG and bone marrow for FLT. RM decreased measured FDG uptake. For large homogenous lesions the conventional TrueV gives similar or better results compared to the HRRT. For smaller lesions, the HRRT has benefit, with RM on the TrueV unable to restore parity, and with the potential for image artifacts.

Performance Estimation for the High Resolution CaLIPSO Brain PET Scanner: A Simulation Study

The foreseen CaLIPSO positron emission tomography (PET) scanner is dedicated to brain imaging. With its new detection technology, it is expected to yield simultaneously a fine spatial resolution of about 1 mm3, and a low image noise thanks to a time-of-flight with coincidence resolving time of about 150 ps. In this paper, we present the results of GATE Monte Carlo simulations of the full CaLIPSO PET scanner with a “cube” geometry. The estimated sensitivity, noise equivalent count rates, and spatial resolution are reported and compared to three real PET scanners dedicated to brain studies: 1) the high-resolution research tomograph by Siemens; 2) the NeuroPET/CT by Photo Diagnostic Systems, Inc.; and 3) the high resolution brain PET with a depth of interaction scanner by Hamamatsu. The results demonstrate the high potential of the CaLIPSO PET scanner for brain imaging where the combination of high spatial resolution and low image noise is essential.

18F]fluorothymidine and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET Imaging Demonstrates Uptake and Differentiates Growth in Neurofibromatosis 2 Related Vestibular Schwannoma.

To investigate whether [F]fluorothymidine (FLT) and/or [F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) can differentiate growth in neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) related vestibular schwannomas (VS) and to evaluate the importance of PET scanner spatial resolution on measured tumor uptake. Six NF2 patients with 11 VS (4 rapidly growing, 7 indolent), were scanned with FLT and FDG using a high-resolution research tomograph (HRRT, Siemens) and a Siemens Biograph TrueV PET-CT, with and without resolution modeling image reconstruction. Mean, maximum, and peak standardised uptake values (SUV) for each tumor were derived and the intertumor correlation between FDG and FLT uptake was compared. The ability of FDG and FLT SUV values to discriminate between rapidly growing and slow growing (indolent) tumors was assessed using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis. Tumor uptake was seen with both tracers, using both scanners, with and without resolution modeling. FDG and FLT uptake was correlated (R = 0.67-0.86, p < 0.01) and rapidly growing tumors displayed significantly higher uptake (SUVmean and SUVpeak) of both tracers (p < 0.05, one tailed t test). All of the PET analyses performed demonstrated better discriminatory power (AUCROC range = 0.71-0.86) than tumor size alone (AUCROC = 0.61). The use of standard resolution scanner with standard reconstruction did not result in a notable deterioration of discrimination accuracy. NF2 related VS demonstrate uptake of both FLT and FDG, which is significantly increased in rapidly growing tumors. A short static FDG PET scan with standard clinical resolution and reconstruction can provide relevant information on tumor growth to aid clinical decision making.

Social status and demographic effects of the kappa opioid receptor: a PET imaging study with a novel agonist radiotracer in healthy volunteers.

Kappa opioid receptors (KORs) have been characterized as an aversive system in the brain and implicated in social behavior in preclinical models. This work investigated the effect of social status on the KOR system in humans using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the novel KOR agonist radiotracer [11C]EKAP. Eighteen healthy participants (mean age 41.2 ± 9.3) completed the Barratt Simplified Measure of Social Status (BSMSS), an MRI and an [11C]EKAP PET scan on the High Resolution Research Tomograph. Arterial blood sampling and metabolite analysis were conducted to obtain the input function. Regions of interest were based upon an MR template and included the reward/aversion areas of the brain. The multilinear analysis-1 (MA1) method was applied to the regional time-activity curves (TACs) to calculate [11C]EKAP regional volume of distribution (VT). Mixed models and Pearson correlation coefficients were used for body mass index (BMI), gender and age, with age being dropped in subsequent analyses because of nonsignificance. An overall effect of primary ROIs (F7, 112 7.43, p < 0.0001), BSMSS score (F1, 13 7.45, p = 0.02), BMI (F1, 13 23.5, p < 0.001), and gender (F1, 13 23.75, p < 0.001), but not age (F1, 13 1.12, p = 0.35) was observed. Regional [11C]EKAP VT and BSMSS were found to be negatively correlated in the amygdala (r = -0.69, p < 0.01), anterior cingulate cortex (r = -0.56, p = 0.02), caudate (r = -0.66, p < 0.01), frontal cortex (r = -0.52, p = 0.04), hippocampus (r = -0.60, p = 0.01), pallidum (r = -0.59, p = 0.02), putamen (r = -0.62, p = 0.01), and ventral striatum (r = -0.66, p < 0.01). In secondary (non-reward) regions, correlations of [11C]EKAP VT and BSMSS were nonsignificant with the exception of the insula. There was an inverse correlation between social status and KOR levels that was largely specific to the reward/aversion (e.g., saliency) areas of the brain. This finding suggests the KOR system may act as a mediator for the negative effects of social behaviors in humans.