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Molecular Imaging and Biology
Published in: Molecular Imaging and Biology 4/2013

01-08-2013 | Brief Article

Whole-Body Biodistribution and Radiation Dosimetry of the Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor Ligand [11C]-NE40 in Healthy Subjects

Authors: Rawaha Ahmad, Michel Koole, Nele Evens, Kim Serdons, Alfons Verbruggen, Guy Bormans, Koen Van Laere

Published in: Molecular Imaging and Biology | Issue 4/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

The type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R) is part of the human endocannabinoid system and is involved in central and peripheral inflammatory processes. In vivo imaging of the CB2R would allow study of several (neuro)inflammatory disorders. In this study we have investigated the safety and tolerability of [11C]-NE40, a CB2R positron emission tomography (PET) ligand, in healthy human male subjects and determined its biodistribution and radiation dosimetry.

Procedure

Six healthy male subjects (age 20–65 years) underwent a dynamic series of nine whole-body PET/CT scans for up to 140 min, after injection of an average bolus of 286 MBq of [11C]-NE40. Organ absorbed and total effective doses were calculated through OLINDA.

Results

[11C]-NE40 showed high initial uptake in the spleen and a predominant hepatobiliary excretion. In the brain, rapid uptake and swift washout were seen. Organ absorbed doses were largest for the small intestine and liver, with 15.6 and 11.5 μGy/MBq, respectively. The mean effective dose was 3.64 ± 0.81 μSv/MBq. There were no changes with aging observed. No adverse events were encountered.

Conclusions

This first-in-man study of [11C]-NE40 showed an expected biodistribution compatible with lymphoid tissue uptake and appropriate fast brain kinetics in the healthy human brain, underscoring the potential of this tracer for further application in central and peripheral inflammation imaging. The effective dose is within the typical expected range for 11C ligands.
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Metadata
Title
Whole-Body Biodistribution and Radiation Dosimetry of the Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor Ligand [11C]-NE40 in Healthy Subjects
Authors
Rawaha Ahmad
Michel Koole
Nele Evens
Kim Serdons
Alfons Verbruggen
Guy Bormans
Koen Van Laere
Publication date
01-08-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Molecular Imaging and Biology / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 1536-1632
Electronic ISSN: 1860-2002
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-013-0626-y

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