TY - JOUR T1 - Synthesis and Biodistribution of Radiolabeled α<sub>7</sub> Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Ligands JF - Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO - J Nucl Med SP - 326 LP - 334 VL - 46 IS - 2 AU - Martin G. Pomper AU - Eifion Phillips AU - Hong Fan AU - Dennis J. McCarthy AU - Richard A. Keith AU - John C. Gordon AU - Ursula Scheffel AU - Robert F. Dannals AU - John L. Musachio Y1 - 2005/02/01 UR - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/46/2/326.abstract N2 - Our objective was to develop an array of α7-selective nicotinic cholinergic receptor (nAChR)–based imaging agents for PET and SPECT. Methods: (2′R)-N-11C-Methyl-N-(phenylmethyl)-spiro[1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane-3,2′(3′H)-furo[2,3-b]pyridin]-5′-amine 1 was synthesized by reaction of the corresponding desmethyl precursor with 11C-CO2 and reduction. N-(R)-1-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-4-11C-methylsulfanyl-benzamide 2 was synthesized by reduction of the corresponding disulfide precursor and reaction with 11C-iodomethane. N-(R)-1-Aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl-4-125I-iodo-benzamide 3 was synthesized by halogen exchange of the corresponding bromide. (2′R)-5′-(2-125I-iodo-3-furanyl)spiro[1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane]-3,2′(3′H)-furo[2,3-b]pyridine 4 was synthesized by the chloramine-T method. Kinetic biodistribution studies were done in male CD-1 mice by tail vein injection of 3.7 MBq (100 μCi) of the 11C-labeled radiotracer or 0.67 MBq (2 μCi) of the 125I-labeled radiotracer followed by brain dissection and tissue counting. Receptor blockade was determined by pretreatment of the mice with an excess of either unlabeled precursor or nicotine. Results: We synthesized 4 radiolabeled, moderate- to high-affinity, α7-nAChR–based ligands. The compounds were a series of quinuclidine derivatives with an inhibition constant (Ki) &lt; 6 nmol/L (33 pmol/L for 4) for α7-nAChR and selectivities of α7/α4β2 subtypes of ≥14,000. All of the compounds were produced in adequate radiochemical yield and specific radioactivity (&gt;74 GBq/μmol [2,000 Ci/mmol]). No site selectivity or receptor blockade was shown for 1 and 2 (0.91 ± 0.05 and 0.14 ± 0.03 %ID/g [percentage injected dose per gram] in the hippocampus [target tissue], respectively). Compound 3 showed low hippocampal uptake (0.25 ± 0.05 %ID/g) but prolonged retention within that structure. Pretreatment with nicotine decreased its uptake by up to 50% in the hippocampus. Similar reductions were also observed within the cerebellum (nontarget tissue). Compound 4 showed hippocampal uptake of 2.41 ± 0.03 %ID/g and target-to-nontarget uptake ratios of up to 2. Pretreatment of animals with unlabeled 4 resulted in a decrease of hippocampal uptake to 60% of its preblockade value without a corresponding decrease in cerebellar uptake. Conclusion: With further structural optimization, selective imaging of α7-nAChR may be possible. ER -