Functionalized alpha 7 Nicotinic Receptor Ligands for Imaging

JHU researchers have synthesized a variety of new radiopharmaceuticals for imaging the a7 subtype of nicotinic cholingergic receptors. They are using nuclear medicine techniques, including positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to image these receptors in the brains of normal individuals, patients with schizophrenia, Alzheimer?s disease, inflammation, tobacco abuse, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions. The researcher's goals are to be able to: a) learn more of the function of this nicotinic receptor subtype, in vivo; b) learn more about the pathophysiology of diseases that involve this receptor system; c) segregate patients into appropriate treatment groups; d) early diagnosis of disease that involve this receptor system and e) treat diseases that involve this receptor system. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) There is currently no way to study a7 nicotinic receptors in vivo, noninvasively. Our imaging agents propose to do just that. In so doing, we will gain insight into the processes mentioned above, including several diseases that have a major impact upon public health.

Inventor(s): Pomper, Martin Gilbert

Type of Offer: Licensing



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