title: Visualization of dopamine nerve terminals by positron tomography using [18F]fluoro-beta-fluoromethylene-m-tyrosine.
abstract: [18F]-6-Fluoro-beta-fluoromethylene-m-tyrosine ([18F]FFMMT) was evaluated as a potential imaging agent for dopamine nerve terminals using positron emission tomography (PET). Biodistribution and time course of this tracer in mice after i.p. injection was consistent with the distribution of dopamine. PET imaging studies involving rhesus macaques showed specific uptake in the dopamine-rich caudate-putamen region. This specific localization was blocked by inhibiting the enzyme L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase and the transport of the tracer into brain was shown to be stereospecific. These results show the promise of L-[18F]FFMMT as a PET tracer in monitoring degeneration of the CNS dopamine system.
authors: Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
authors: O T
authors: OT
authors: DeJesus
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Holden
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Endres
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Murali
authors: T R
authors: TR
authors: Oakes
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Shelton
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Uno
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Houser
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Freund
authors: S B
authors: SB
authors: Perlman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014018:Tissue Distribution / Q000502:physiology; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; C079080:6-fluoro-beta-fluoromethylene-3-tyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine; D004298:Dopamine