PIXSIC, a Pixelated β+-Sensitive Probe for Radiopharmacological Investigations in Rat Brain: Binding Studies with [18F]MPPF

• Published in: Molecular imaging and biology 2015-04, Vol.17 (2), p.163-167
• Main Authors: Balasse, L., Maerk, J., Pain, F., Genoux, A., Fieux, S., Morel, C., Gisquet-Verrier, P., Zimmer, L., Lanièce, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Autoradiography; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Brief Article; Cerebellar Cortex - diagnostic imaging; Cerebellum - diagnostic imaging; Hippocampus - diagnostic imaging; Imaging; Injections, Intravenous; Kinetics; Life Sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurons and Cognition; Piperazines; Positron-Emission Tomography; Pyridines; Radiology; Rats; Wireless Technology
• ISSN: 1536-1632; 1860-2002
• DOI: 10.1007/s11307-014-0785-5

Purpose The aim of this work was to demonstrate the pharmacokinetic potential of a wireless pixelated β + -sensitive probe (PIXSIC). Procedures The binding of 2′-methoxyphenyl-( N -2′-pyridinyl)-p-[ 18 F]fluoro-benzamidoethylpiperazine ([ 18 F]MPPF), a 5-HT 1A serotonin receptor radiopharmaceutical, was measured in anesthetized rats and compared to microPET data. The effects of a 5-HT 1A antagonist injection on in vivo [ 18 F]MPPF binding were monitored by PIXSIC. Results PIXSIC allowed differentiating the radioactive kinetics according to the location of its pixels in the hippocampus, cortex, corpus callosum, and cerebellum. The device accurately detected the changes in [ 18 F]MPPF binding, after 5-HT 1A antagonist blockade. The time–activity curves were reproducible and consistent with kinetics obtained simultaneously with a microPET camera. Conclusions These results demonstrate the ability of the PIXSIC device to record reliably the binding of PET ligands, with a high spatiotemporal resolution in anesthetized rodents. These first in vivo results are a key stage on the path to its implementation in awake freely moving animals.