Activation of specific cortical regions by apomorphine: an [15O]H2O PET study in humans.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional effects of apomorphine, a non-selective dopamine agonist, on regional neuronal activity using regional cerebral blood flow, measured using [15O]H2O and positron emission tomography (PET), as an index. Eight normal volunteers were scanned twice before and twice after receiving 10 micrograms/kg subcutaneous apomorphine. Apomorphine produced the expected side-effects and endocrine response. Analysis of the PET scans revealed that apomorphine increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), presumably reflecting a change in neuronal activity, in the anterior cingulate, ventral motor cortex and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex along with a decrease in rCBF in the retrosplenial cingulate region. These regions form a functional network of brain regions modulated by the dopaminergic system.
Kapur
S
S
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ont., Canada.
Meyer
J
J
Wilson
A A
AA
Houle
S
S
Brown
G M
GM
D000328:Adult; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010104:Oxygen Radioisotopes; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000379:methods
D010104:Oxygen Radioisotopes; D001058:Apomorphine