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CNS Neuropsychopharmacology and Multimodal Imaging Lab

Projects

PET Clinical Study of Novel Antipsychotic LB-102

Goal

The goal of this study was to use PET imaging with [C-11]raclopride to calculate the D2/D3 receptor occupancy of novel antipsychotic LB-102.

For this study, we recruited healthy participants and administered a single dose of LB-102. Each participant underwent one baseline PET scan and three post-dose scans at varying time points. After collecting receptor occupancy data for three different dosing levels, we dosed participants for four consecutive days. This allowed us to obtain PET data on receptor occupancy at steady-state.

LB Announces Presentation of Full Results of Dopamine Receptor Occupancy Study of LB-102 at the 2021 ACNP Conference

Imaging Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Healthy Participants and Participants With Schizophrenia

Goal

This study will explore the relationship between nAChR availability, schizophrenia severity, and cognitive function.

Our lab will be collecting data from 120 subjects total (60 healthy participants and 60 participants with schizophrenia). Subjects will undergo neuropsychological testing to gain an understanding of their cognitive functioning, especially in areas involving the frontal lobe (attention, working memory, etc.). Subjects will also undergo genetic testing to learn more about their nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

This study will make use of two novel radiotracers, [18F]ASEM and [18F]AZAN, to quantify binding to α7-nAChR and α4β2-nAChR in vivo. We hope to lay the groundwork for possible therapeutic interventions that target nAChRs.

We will examine the characteristics of two investigational radioactive drugs in the brain of people with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Participants will be asked to have one MRI scan and up to two PET scans for this study.

Learn more about participating in this study.

Assessment of Brain Sigma-1 Receptor Occupancy After Blarcamesine in Healthy Volunteers and Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Goal

This study aims to further the development of a sigma-1 receptor agonist as a possible therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Our lab will recruit healthy volunteers and patients with Parkinson’s disease. We will test several different blarcamesine dosing levels and determine Sigma-1 receptor occupancy using [F-18]FTC-146 PET.

[F-18]VAT Radiotracer Development

Goal

We are working on a radiotracer designed to bind selectively to vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), which is an effective biomarker for acetylcholine signaling. This tracer may be helpful in studying Alzheimer’s disease.

We are planning to perform a longitudinal study in healthy volunteers, older adults with mild cognitive impairment, and adults exhibiting early Alzheimer’s disease. This study will include neuropsychological testing to assess cognitive function and 18F-VAT PET scans to observe the availability of VAChT in the brain.

Novel Analgesic as Alternative to Addictive Opiates—Phase 1 Trial

Goal

Using three different radiotracers, we will determine the receptor occupancy of a novel analgesic at μ-opioid, D1, and 5-HT2A receptors to find the optimal dosing level.

Healthy participants, ages 18-45, will be recruited, screened and given a baseline PET scan. The first cohort will take a dose of the study drug and undergo a PET scan with [11C]carfentanil to determine μ-opioid receptor occupancy. Using an adaptive dose design, the following cohorts will take the study drug and receive either a [11C]MDL100907 scan or a [11C]NNC112 scan.

Our People

The lab, led by Dean Wong, MD, PhD, includes a diverse team specializing in computational science, radiochemistry, cellular biology, psychology and public health.

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