A new PET neuroimaging probe for sigma 1 receptor

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA

Investigators

Abstract

Project Summary Sigma 1 receptor (?1R) has been implicated in multiple functions and associated with various human diseases, including brain diseases/disorders. ?1R has been reported to interact with numerous neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels, and involved in diverse basic biochemical processes and pathological conditions related to neurodegeneration, pain sensitization, psychiatric disorders, and drug addiction. Therefore, it is important to have a tool for non-invasive measurement of ?1R expression and function in vivo, and PET imaging would be an ideal tool. Unfortunately, to date, there are no suitable non-invasive neuroimaging tools for investigating these processes in animals or in man. The development of techniques for visualizing ?1R in vivo represents a key step in understanding both the normal function and pathophysiology of ?1R in brain. Moreover, these techniques will accelerate the discovery of small molecule therapeutics that selectively interacts with ?1R. The project is designed to validate a novel PET imaging probe, [18F]CNY-05, for ?1R imaging in rodents and non-human primates.