Title: Quantitative Molecular Imaging of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Human Brain with A-85380 Radiotracers
VOLUME: 7 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Shahrdad Lotfipour, Mark Mandelkern and Arthur L. Brody
Affiliation:Semel Institute, Department of Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Keywords:Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, human brain imaging, tobacco dependence, varenicline, 2FA, 5IA, A-85380, endogenous, neurotransmitter, Toxicology
Abstract: Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been implicated in a spectrum of cognitive functions as well as psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including tobacco addiction and Alzheimer's Disease. The examination of neuronal nAChRs in living humans is a relatively new field. Researchers have developed brain-imaging radiotracers for nAChRs, with radiolabeled A-85380 compounds having the most widespread use. We provide a brief background on nAChRs, followed by a discussion of the development and application of A-85380 radiotracers in human imaging studies. We describe potential future studies using nicotinic receptor radioligands for the study of tobacco addiction, including the mechanism of action of the smoking-cessation therapy varenicline. Throughout this review, we focus on the significant potential that resides in the identification and quantification of nAChRs in the living human brain.
