Quantification of D2-like dopamine receptors in the human brain with 18F-desmethoxyfallypride.

Abstract

Our study demonstrates that (18)F-DMFP is a highly reliable tracer for PET imaging of D(2)-like DA receptors. It offers the major advantage that it can be used independently of an on-site cyclotron within a PET satellite network. Noninvasive analytic methods without blood sampling provide valid measurements of receptor quantities in human striatum. Because of the (18)F label and the favorable imaging properties, (18)F-DMFP could become an efficient substitute for (11)C-raclopride in a clinical context.