Uptake and distribution of a new SSRI, NS2381, studied by PET in living porcine brain

Stereoselective neuroimaging in vivo

Stereoselectivity is a basic property of many neuronal processes due to the spatial features of molecules involved in neurotransmission. Today, neuroimaging procedures are available for studying stereoselectivity in the living brain. Mirror-image radiotracers are the molecular tools that are used, together with single photon emission tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), for studying stereoselective neuronal mechanisms. This review presents the findings obtained in those studies of cholinergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, glutamatergic, opioid, cannabinoid, and second messenger neurotransmission.

The use of pigs in neuroscience: Modeling brain disorders

The use of pigs in neuroscience research has increased in the past decade, which has seen broader recognition of the potential of pigs as an animal for experimental modeling of human brain disorders. The volume of available background data concerning pig brain anatomy and neurochemistry has increased considerably in recent years. The pig brain, which is gyrencephalic, resembles the human brain more in anatomy, growth and development than do the brains of commonly used small laboratory animals. The size of the pig brain permits the identification of cortical and subcortical structures by imaging techniques. Furthermore, the pig is an increasingly popular laboratory animal for transgenic manipulations of neural genes. The present paper focuses on evaluating the potential for modeling symptoms, phenomena or constructs of human brain diseases in pigs, the neuropsychiatric disorders in particular. Important practical and ethical aspects of the use of pigs as an experimental animal as pertaining to relevant in vivo experimental brain techniques are reviewed. Finally, current knowledge of aspects of behavioral processes including learning and memory are reviewed so as to complete the summary of the status of pigs as a species suitable for experimental models of diverse human brain disorders.

Immunohistochemical visualization of neurons and specific glial cells for stereological application in the porcine neocortex

The pig is becoming an increasingly used non-primate model in basic experimental studies of human neurological diseases. In spite of the widespread use of immunohistochemistry and cell type specific markers, the application of immunohistochemistry in the pig brain has not been systematically described. Therefore, to facilitate future stereological studies of the neuronal and glial cell populations in experimental neurological diseases in the pig, we established a battery of immunohistochemical protocols for staining of perfusion fixed porcine brain tissue processed as free floating cryostat-, vibratome- or paraffin sections. Antibodies against NeuN, GFAP, S100-protein, MBP, CNPase, CD11b, CD68 (KP1), CD45 and Ki67 were evaluated, and all except CD68 and CD45 resulted in staining of high quality in either type of tissue. Each staining was evaluated with respect to specificity and sensitivity in identification of the individual cells, and for penetration of the staining and maintenance of section thickness above 25 microm, necessary for stereological cell counting. In the cases of NeuN, CNPase, CD11b and Ki67 the staining met the demands to be applicable in stereological analyses using the optical disector. In conclusion, all protocols will be applicable in studies of pathological and neurochemical changes in the porcine brain, and a few protocols applicable for stereology.

A volumetric screening procedure for the Göttingen minipig brain

A screening procedure was developed to provide quantitative estimates of structural parameters, regional volumes and neuron number, in a neurotoxicologic study of the Göttingen minipig brain. The study material consisted of normal controls and brains collected from young minipigs which had been exposed in utero to the mitotic inhibitor methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM). Based on stereological principles and systematic sampling techniques, volumetric data from pre-selected regions of the pig brain was obtained using Cavalieri's principles and point-counting. Secondarily, estimates of total hemispheric neocortical cell numbers were obtained from pre-selected groups to test the potential effect of MAM on neuron number. No significant differences were observed in volume of the pre-selected regions of MAM intoxicated pigs nor in estimates of total neocortical neuron number.

[11C]-NS 4194 versus [11C]-DASB for PET imaging of serotonin transporters in living porcine brain

In vitro, the novel diazabicyclononane NS 4194 has several thousand-fold selectivity for blocking the transport into rat brain synaptosomes of [(3)H]-serotonin in comparison to [(3)H]-dopamine or [(3)H]-noradrenaline. We have prepared [(11)C]-NS 4194 in order to test its properties for PET imaging of brain serotonin transporters in comparison with the well-documented tracer [(11)C]-DASB. Both compounds had rapid clearance from blood to brain of living pigs. The apparent equilibrium distribution volumes in cerebellum were 35 ml g(-1) for [(11)C]-NS 4194 and 11 ml g(-1) for [(11)C]-DASB. Pretreatment of pigs with citalopram did not reduce the uptake of either tracer in cerebellum, validating the use of that tissue as a nonbinding reference tissue for kinetic analysis of specific binding. The binding potential (pB) calculated for [(11)C]-NS 4194 using arterial input models was close to 0.5 in the telencephalon, and was 60% displaced by citalopram. However, the reference tissue method of Lammertsma was unsuited to calculate pB for this tracer, apparently due to its excessive nonspecific binding. In contrast to the relatively homogeneous binding of [(11)C]-NS 4194, the pB of [(11)C]-DASB ranged from 0.6 in frontal cortex to 2 in the mesencephalon when calculated by the method of Lammertsma. Parametric maps of the pB of [(11)C]-DASB showed a pattern consistent with the known distribution of serotonin transporters in pig brain in vitro, and there was a uniform displacement of 80% of the specific binding after citalopram treatment in vivo. In conclusion, [(11)C]-DASB is in several respects superior to [(11)C]-NS 4194 for the detection of serotonin uptake sites by PET.

Positron emission tomography imaging of the serotonin transporter in the pig brain using [11C](+)-McN5652 and S-([18F]fluoromethyl)-(+)-McN5652

S-([(18)F]fluoromethyl)-(+)-McN5652 ([(18)F](+)-FMe-McN5652) has recently been synthesized as a new potential radiotracer for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of the 5-HT transporter. It is an analog of [(11)C](+)McN5652, which has been used in clinical PET studies for 5-HT transporter imaging. This article describes the comparison of these two radiotracers in pigs with respect to their in vivo binding characteristics. PET images revealed that the highest accumulation of both radiotracers was found in the ventral midbrain, thalamus, olfactory lobe, and pons which is consistent with the known density of 5-HT transporters. The specific binding was determined by subtracting the values of the inactive (-) enantiomers or of the occipital cortex from those obtained with [(11)C](+)McN5652 or [(18)F](+)-FMe-McN5652 in the time period between 75 and 115 min after radiotracer injection. The specific binding of the (18)F-labeled derivative was about 40% higher than that of the (11)C-labeled derivative. A strong inhibition of the specific binding was observed for both radiotracers after pretreatment with the selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor citalopram. [(18)F](+)-FMe-McN5652 showed faster kinetics than [(11)C](+)McN5652. It reached the binding equilibrium during a study length of 120 min, which was not the case for [(11)C](+)McN5652. It is concluded that [(18)F](+)-FMe-McN5652 is suitable for 5-HT transporter imaging with PET.

PET evaluation of a tetracyclic, atypical antidepressant, [N-methyl-11C]mianserin, in the living porcine brain

We synthesized [N-methyl-11C]mianserin by alkylation of N-desmethyl mianserin with [11C]methyl iodide followed by HPLC purification. We used PET for determining the regional cerebral pharmacokinetics of the radiotracer in anesthetized swine. [N-methyl-11C]Mianserin entered most brain regions readily (range of K1 values: 0.66-1.13), reaching highest levels in the basal ganglia and thalamus. The binding potential of [N-methyl-11C]mianserin was relatively low (range: 0.07-0.50), but regional differences were nonetheless observed, with highest values in the temporal cortex and lowest values in the brainstem. These PET findings, which are the first ones for a tetracyclic, antidepressant drug, show that [N-methyl-11C]mianserin has only a limited degree of regional specificity of binding in the living brain.

MR-based statistical atlas of the Göttingen minipig brain

Thedomestic pig is increasingly being used as an experimental model for brain imaging studies with positron emission tomography (PET). The recording of radiotracer uptake by PET gives functional and physiological information, but with poor spatial resolution. To date, anatomical regions of interest in pig brain have been defined in MR images obtained for each individual animal, because of the lack of a standard stereotaxic coordinate system for the pig brain. In order to define a stereotaxic coordinate system, we coregistered T1-weighted MR images from 22 male Göttingen minipigs and obtained a statistically defined surface rendering of the average minipig brain in which stereotaxic zero is defined by the position of the pineal gland. The average brain is now used as a target for registration of dynamic PET data, so that time-activity curves can be extracted from standard volumes of interest. In order to define these volumes, MR images from each individual pig were manually segmented into a total of 34 brain structures, including cortical regions, white matter, caudate and putamen, ventricular system, and cerebellum. The mean volumes of these structures had variances in the range of 10-20%. The 34 brain volumes were transformed into the common coordinate system and then used to generate surface renderings with probabilistic threshold greater than 50%. This probabilistic threshold gave nearly quantitative recovery of the mean volumes in native space. The probabilistic volumes in stereotaxic space are now being used to extract time-radioactivity curves from dynamic PET recordings.

[14C]Serotonin uptake and [O-methyl-11C]venlafaxine kinetics in porcine brain

As part of our program of developing PET tracers for neuroimaging of psychotropic compounds, venlafaxine, an antidepressant drug, was evaluated. First, we measured in vitro rates of serotonin uptake in synaptosomes prepared from selected regions of porcine brain. Then, we determined the pharmacokinetics of venlafaxine, [O-methyl-11C]-labeled for PET. Synaptosomal studies showed that the active uptake of [14C]5-HT differed markedly between brain regions, with highest rates in hypothalamus, raphé region, and thalamus, and lowest rates in cortex and cerebellum. PET studies showed that the unidirectional rate of uptake of [O-methyl-11C]venlafaxine from blood to brain was highest in the hypothalamus, raphé region, thalamus and basal ganglia and lowest in the cortex and cerebellum. Under normal physiological conditions, the capillary permeability-surface area (PS) product for [O-methyl-11C]venlafaxine could not be estimated, because of complete flow-limitation of the cerebral uptake. Nevertheless, a correlation occurred between the apparent partition volume of the radiotracer and the rate of active uptake of 5-HT in selected regions of the porcine brain. During hypercapnia, limitations of blood-brain transfer were observed, giving PS-products for water that were only ca. 50% higher than those of venlafaxine. Thus, under normal physiological conditions, the rate of uptake of venlafaxine from blood into brain is completely flow-limited.

Synthesis and evaluation of racemic [(11)C]NS2456 and enantiomers as selective serotonin reuptake radiotracers for PET

Positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers are needed for quantifying serotonin uptake sites in the living brain. Therefore, we evaluated a new selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, NS2456, to determine whether it is suited for use in PET. Racemic NS2456 [(1RS,5SR)-8-methyl-3-[4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl]-8-azabicyclo [3.2.1]oct-2-ene] and its N-demethylated analog, racemic NS2463, selectively inhibited serotonin uptake in rat brain synaptosomes; their IC(50) values were 3000-fold lower for [(3)H]serotonin than for either [(3)H]dopamine or [(3)H]noradrenaline. The enantiomers of NS2463 were also potent inhibitors of serotonin uptake in vitro, but they failed to show stereoselectivity. Racemic NS2463 as well as its enantiomers were radiolabelled by N-methylation with C-11, yielding [(11)C]NS2456 for use in PET of the living porcine brain. The compounds crossed the blood-brain barrier rapidly and accumulated preferentially in regions rich in serotonin uptake sites (e.g., brainstem, subthalamus and thalamus). However, their binding potentials were relatively low and no stereoselectivity was found. Thus, neither racemic [(11)C]NS2456 nor its [(11)C]-labelled enantiomers are ideal for PET neuroimaging of neuronal serotonin uptake sites.

Quantitative radioluminography of serotonin uptake sites in the porcine brain

The regional density of serotonin uptake sites in porcine brain was determined by quantitative radioluminography. Brain cryostat sections 30 microm thick were cut in the sagittal plane and were incubated with [3H]citalopram for selective labeling of serotonin uptake sites. The autoradiograms were quantified using tritium-sensitive radioluminography. The apparent affinity (K(D)) of [3H]citalopram for its binding sites in various brain regions ranged from 2.3-5.6 nM. The density of serotonin uptake sites was highest (200-300 fmol/mg tissue) in the amygdala, superior colliculus, and substantia nigra. Intermediate binding (100 fmol/mg tissue) was present in the dorsomedial thalamus, basal ganglia, and entorhinal cortex. Traces of specific binding (10 fmol/mg tissue) were detected in the neocortex and cerebellar cortex. The findings show that the anatomic distribution of serotonin uptake sites in the porcine brain is similar to that reported in other mammals. The density was close to that reported in human brain and in rat brain.

Neuroimaging of serotonin uptake sites and antidepressant binding sites in the thalamus of humans and 'higher' animals

This review presents the results of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies carried out primarily for identifying serotonin uptake sites and/or antidepressant binding sites in the brain of humans and 'higher' animals, namely nonhuman primates and pigs. Five lines of evidence are considered. First, studies carried out in vitro using synaptosomes or membrane preparations from human, nonhuman primate, and porcine brain have shown that certain thalamic nuclei are major sites of serotonergic neurotransmission in these species. Second, studies carried out in vitro or ex vivo using autoradiography or immunohistochemistry have indicated that the dorsomedial nucleus and some adjacent regions of the thalamus have a particularly high density of binding sites for antidepressant drugs that are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Third, studies carried out in the living brain of nonhuman primates and pigs have found that SSRIs, radiolabeled for use in PET or SPECT, accumulate to a relatively high degree in midline and dorsal nuclei of the thalamus. Fourth, studies carried out using PET or SPECT radioligands in humans have demonstrated that regions in and around the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus are principal sites for accumulation of SSRIs. Fifth, studies of behavior of humans suffering from localized tissue damage in the thalamus have reported that symptoms of mania often occur in the patients, in accordance with the notion that an intact thalamus is required for normal regulation of mood. Taken together, the findings are consistent with the hypothesis that serotonergic neurotransmission in the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus could be causally involved in the pathophysiology of affective disease as well as in therapeutic actions of SSRIs.