Featured Publications
Imaging synaptic density in the living human brain
Finnema SJ, Nabulsi NB, Eid T, Detyniecki K, Lin SF, Chen MK, Dhaher R, Matuskey D, Baum E, Holden D, Spencer DD, Mercier J, Hannestad J, Huang Y, Carson RE. Imaging synaptic density in the living human brain. Science Translational Medicine 2016, 8: 348ra96. PMID: 27440727, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf6667.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSynaptic densityPositron emission tomographyPET imagingSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ATemporal lobe epilepsyNumerous brain disordersCentral nervous systemNumber of synapsesJ PET imagingHuman brainHuman PET studiesPredominant neuronsSurgical resectionSynaptic lossLobe epilepsyPsychiatric disordersNervous systemBrain disordersPresynaptic boutonsAlzheimer's diseaseBrain tissueEmission tomographyNeuron contactsTherapeutic monitoringPET studiesNoise Reduction in the Simplified Reference Tissue Model for Neuroreceptor Functional Imaging
Wu Y, Carson RE. Noise Reduction in the Simplified Reference Tissue Model for Neuroreceptor Functional Imaging. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2002, 22: 1440-1452. PMID: 12468889, DOI: 10.1097/01.wcb.0000033967.83623.34.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchComparison of Bolus and Infusion Methods for Receptor Quantitation: Application to [18F]Cyclofoxy and Positron Emission Tomography
Carson R, Channing M, Blasberg R, Dunn B, Cohen R, Rice K, Herscovitch P. Comparison of Bolus and Infusion Methods for Receptor Quantitation: Application to [18F]Cyclofoxy and Positron Emission Tomography. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 1993, 13: 24-42. PMID: 8380178, DOI: 10.1038/jcbfm.1993.6.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
Markerless head motion tracking and event-by-event correction in brain PET
Zeng T, Lu Y, Jiang W, Zheng J, Zhang J, Gravel P, Wan Q, Fontaine K, Mulnix T, Jiang Y, Yang Z, Revilla E, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Henry S, Zhang X, Cao T, Hu L, Carson R. Markerless head motion tracking and event-by-event correction in brain PET. Physics In Medicine And Biology 2023, 68: 245019. PMID: 37983915, PMCID: PMC10713921, DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad0e37.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPoint source studyHead motion correctionSmaller residual displacementMotion correctionIterative closest point (ICP) registration algorithmHead motion trackingSpatial resolutionResidual displacementData-driven evaluation methodHigh spatial resolutionLow noiseMotion trackingStereovision cameraMotion tracking deviceStructured lightEvent correctionBrain positron emission tomography (PET) imagingTracking deviceReconstruction resultsHMT methodPoint cloudsNegative biasReference cloudUMTEvaluation methodDose reduction in dynamic synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A PET imaging using artificial neural networks
Li A, Yang B, Naganawa M, Fontaine K, Toyonaga T, Carson R, Tang J. Dose reduction in dynamic synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A PET imaging using artificial neural networks. Physics In Medicine And Biology 2023, 68: 245006. PMID: 37857316, PMCID: PMC10739622, DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad0535.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEvaluation of a First PET Tracer Suitable for Imaging the Sigma‑2 Receptor in the Brain of Nonhuman Primates
Alluri S, Zheng M, Holden D, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Felchner Z, Li S, Ropchan J, Carson R, Jia H, Huang Y. Evaluation of a First PET Tracer Suitable for Imaging the Sigma‑2 Receptor in the Brain of Nonhuman Primates. Molecular Pharmaceutics 2023, 21: 194-200. PMID: 38013422, DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00750.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlzheimer's diseaseLimited brain uptakeNonhuman primate brainCentral nervous systemPotential therapeutic targetPositron emission tomography (PET) imagingEmission Tomography ImagingTransmembrane protein 97Sigma-2 receptorsFirst PET tracerBrain penetrantBrain uptakeTherapeutic targetNervous systemPrimate brainNeurological disordersPET tracersNonhuman primatesTomography imagingProtein 97CancerDiseaseBrainCell typesReceptorsEvaluating infusion methods and simplified quantification of synaptic density in vivo with [11C]UCB-J and [18F]SynVesT-1 PET
Asch R, Naganawa M, Nabulsi N, Huan Y, Esterlis I, Carson R. Evaluating infusion methods and simplified quantification of synaptic density in vivo with [11C]UCB-J and [18F]SynVesT-1 PET. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2023, 43: 2120-2129. PMID: 37669455, PMCID: PMC10925870, DOI: 10.1177/0271678x231200423.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchImaging the brain’s immune response to alcohol with [11C]PBR28 TSPO Positron Emission Tomography
Raval N, Angarita G, Matuskey D, Miller R, Drake L, Kapinos M, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Carson R, O’Malley S, Cosgrove K, Hillmer A. Imaging the brain’s immune response to alcohol with [11C]PBR28 TSPO Positron Emission Tomography. Molecular Psychiatry 2023, 28: 3384-3390. PMID: 37532797, PMCID: PMC10743097, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02198-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVolume of distributionBlood alcohol levelsPositron emission tomographyBrain immune responseImmune responseAlcohol challengeEmission tomographyPeak blood alcohol levelsMultilinear analysis 1Peripheral immune functionVivo human evidenceLaboratory alcohol challengeTSPO positron emission tomographyBinge levelsPlasma cytokinesImmune dysfunctionNeuroimmune systemIL-6MCP-1Cytokines TNFAcute effectsScan dayArterial bloodHuman evidenceImmune functionRelationships of in vivo brain norepinephrine transporter and age, BMI, and gender
Koohsari S, Sadabad F, Pittman B, Gallezot J, Carson R, van Dyck C, Li C, Potenza M, Matuskey D. Relationships of in vivo brain norepinephrine transporter and age, BMI, and gender. Synapse 2023, 77: e22279. PMID: 37382240, PMCID: PMC10416616, DOI: 10.1002/syn.22279.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexMultilinear reference tissue model 2Gender-related differencesBrain norepinephrine transportersNorepinephrine transporterAge-related declineStructural MR scansBrain regionsReference tissue model 2Mass indexRaphe nucleusLocus coeruleusOccipital cortexBMI relationshipHealthy adultsHigh-resolution research tomographAvailable radiotracersHealthy participantsMR scansAgeAnatomic templateReference regionNegative associationNet availabilityPotential agePrincipal component analysis of synaptic density measured with [11C]UCB-J PET in early Alzheimer’s disease
O'Dell R, Higgins-Chen A, Gupta D, Chen M, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Lu Y, Ni G, Chupak A, Zhao W, Salardini E, Nabulsi N, Huang Y, Arnsten A, Carson R, van Dyck C, Mecca A. Principal component analysis of synaptic density measured with [11C]UCB-J PET in early Alzheimer’s disease. NeuroImage Clinical 2023, 39: 103457. PMID: 37422964, PMCID: PMC10338149, DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103457.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCognitive domainsCognitive performanceSubjects' scoresCortical regionsNeuropsychological batteryEarly Alzheimer's diseaseAD groupBilateral regionsNormal participantsNegative loadingsCognitive impairmentCN participantsAlzheimer's diseaseParticipantsStructural correlatesStrong contributionParticipant characteristicsScoresPositive loadingsData-driven approachTotal variancePrincipal component analysisSpecific spatial patternsPreclinical evaluation of a brain penetrant PARP PET imaging probe in rat glioblastoma and nonhuman primates
Chen B, Ojha D, Toyonaga T, Tong J, Pracitto R, Thomas M, Liu M, Kapinos M, Zhang L, Zheng M, Holden D, Fowles K, Ropchan J, Nabulsi N, De Feyter H, Carson R, Huang Y, Cai Z. Preclinical evaluation of a brain penetrant PARP PET imaging probe in rat glioblastoma and nonhuman primates. European Journal Of Nuclear Medicine And Molecular Imaging 2023, 50: 2081-2099. PMID: 36849748, DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06162-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositron emission tomographyHealthy nonhuman primatesVolume of distributionDistribution volume ratioBrain kineticsRat glioblastoma modelPreclinical evaluationBrain regionsGlioblastoma modelPET tracersNonhuman primatesTumor-bearing ratsEx vivo biodistributionPET imaging resultsActive clinical trialsTreatment of glioblastomaHigh specific uptakeDynamic PET scansNoninvasive quantificationBrain positron emission tomographyNondisplaceable volumeBrain penetrationLow nonspecific uptakePrognostic informationClinical trialsReductions in synaptic marker SV2A in early-course Schizophrenia
Yoon J, Zhang Z, Mormino E, Davidzon G, Minzenberg M, Ballon J, Kalinowski A, Hardy K, Naganawa M, Carson R, Khalighi M, Park J, Levinson D, Chin F. Reductions in synaptic marker SV2A in early-course Schizophrenia. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2023, 161: 213-217. PMID: 36934603, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.02.026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChronic patientsSynaptic pruningStage of illnessEarly course patientsEarly course schizophreniaSeverity of delusionsWidespread reductionMajor disease mechanismsSynaptic deficitsSynaptic markersSynaptic eliminationPET scansFormal onsetBrain regionsSignificant positive correlationPatientsSchizophrenia studiesSchizophreniaDisease mechanismsCognitive performanceIllnessEarly phaseSpecific bindingPresent studyPositive correlationInvestigating CNS distribution of PF‐05212377, a P‐glycoprotein substrate, by translation of 5‐HT6 receptor occupancy from non‐human primates to humans
Sawant‐Basak A, Chen L, Lockwood P, Boyden T, Doran A, Mancuso J, Zasadny K, McCarthy T, Morris E, Carson R, Esterlis I, Huang Y, Nabulsi N, Planeta B, Fullerton T. Investigating CNS distribution of PF‐05212377, a P‐glycoprotein substrate, by translation of 5‐HT6 receptor occupancy from non‐human primates to humans. Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition 2023, 44: 48-59. PMID: 36825693, DOI: 10.1002/bdd.2351.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-human primatesBrain penetrationPositron emission tomographyReceptor occupancyUnbound concentrationsPre-clinical evidenceVivo brain penetrationConcentration-dependent increaseP-glycoprotein substratesPlasma ECsP-gpAlzheimer's diseaseEmission tomographyRat BBBTarget engagementCumulative evidenceDependent increaseTransporter substratesCNS distributionBBBRatsDiseasePrimatesSpecies differencesHumans
2022
A 3D atlas of functional human brain energetic connectome based on neuropil distribution
Yu Y, Akif A, Herman P, Cao M, Rothman D, Carson R, Agarwal D, Evans A, Hyder F. A 3D atlas of functional human brain energetic connectome based on neuropil distribution. Cerebral Cortex 2022, 33: 3996-4012. PMID: 36104858, PMCID: PMC10068297, DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac322.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSynaptic densityCortical regionsHigher synapse densityHuman cortical circuitsFunctional imaging studiesCortical activity mapsVivo PET imagingNeuropil distributionGlucose oxidationSynapse densityCortical circuitsMetabolic rateSynaptic connectionsCortical energeticsImaging studiesHuman cortexPET imagingHistological stainingRecent evidenceCortexHuman brainBrainVoxel levelActivity ratesAtlasImaging the fetal nonhuman primate brain with SV2A positron emission tomography (PET)
Rossano S, Toyonaga T, Berg E, Lorence I, Fowles K, Nabulsi N, Ropchan J, Li S, Ye Y, Felchner Z, Kukis D, Huang Y, Benveniste H, Tarantal AF, Groman S, Carson RE. Imaging the fetal nonhuman primate brain with SV2A positron emission tomography (PET). European Journal Of Nuclear Medicine And Molecular Imaging 2022, 49: 3679-3691. PMID: 35633376, PMCID: PMC9826644, DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05825-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositron emission tomographySynaptic densityFetal brainThird trimesterEmission tomographyBrain developmentGravid rhesus monkeysPost-mortem brain tissueEarly neonatal periodNonhuman primate brainLate gestational periodSubset of subjectsPostnatal brain developmentPost-mortem samplesGestational ageNeonatal periodPregnant monkeysSynapse numberGestational periodPrimary motorPrimate brainBrain growthSubcortical regionsBrain tissueCortical regionsComparison of three novel radiotracers for GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in non-human primates: (R)-[11C]NR2B-Me, (R)-[18F]of-Me-NB1, and (S)-[18F]of-NB1
Smart K, Zheng MQ, Ahmed H, Fang H, Xu Y, Cai L, Holden D, Kapinos M, Haider A, Felchner Z, Ropchan JR, Tamagnan G, Innis RB, Pike VW, Ametamey SM, Huang Y, Carson RE. Comparison of three novel radiotracers for GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in non-human primates: (R)-[11C]NR2B-Me, (R)-[18F]of-Me-NB1, and (S)-[18F]of-NB1. Cerebrovascular And Brain Metabolism Reviews 2022, 42: 1398-1409. PMID: 35209743, PMCID: PMC9274863, DOI: 10.1177/0271678x221084416.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-human primatesNMDA receptorsML/GluN2B-containing NMDA receptorsFree fractionRegional non-displaceable binding potentialsNon-displaceable binding potentialGood brain uptakeAdult rhesus macaquesBrain uptakeOne-tissue compartment modelTime-activity curvesNovel radiotracersGray matterNeuropsychiatric disordersSelective radiotracerDisplaceable bindingRhesus macaquesTissue distributionAcceptable profilePotential translationRadiotracerCerebellumFurther investigationReceptorsSynaptic density and cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease: A PET imaging study with [11C]UCB‐J
Mecca AP, O'Dell RS, Sharp ES, Banks ER, Bartlett HH, Zhao W, Lipior S, Diepenbrock NG, Chen M, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Nabulsi NB, Vander Wyk B, Arnsten AFT, Huang Y, Carson RE, van Dyck C. Synaptic density and cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease: A PET imaging study with [11C]UCB‐J. Alzheimer's & Dementia 2022, 18: 2527-2536. PMID: 35174954, PMCID: PMC9381645, DOI: 10.1002/alz.12582.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSynaptic densityEarly Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's diseaseCognitive performanceMajor pathological correlateGray matter volumePositron emission tomography (PET) imagingEmission Tomography ImagingPET imaging studiesIndividual cognitive domainsNeuropathologic studiesSignificant positive associationSynapse lossSynaptic alterationsPathological correlatesNeuropsychological test performanceMatter volumeCognitive impairmentSignificant associationImaging studiesDiseaseTomography imagingGlobal cognitionStrongest predictorPositive association
2021
Lower prefrontal cortical synaptic vesicle binding in cocaine use disorder: An exploratory 11C‐UCB‐J positron emission tomography study in humans
Angarita GA, Worhunsky PD, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Nabulsi NB, Li C, Esterlis I, Skosnik PD, Radhakrishnan R, Pittman B, Gueorguieva R, Potenza MN, Finnema SJ, Huang Y, Carson RE, Malison RT. Lower prefrontal cortical synaptic vesicle binding in cocaine use disorder: An exploratory 11C‐UCB‐J positron emission tomography study in humans. Addiction Biology 2021, 27: e13123. PMID: 34852401, PMCID: PMC8891080, DOI: 10.1111/adb.13123.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCocaine use disorderAnterior cingulate cortexRecent cocaine useSynaptic densityMedial orbitofrontal cortexPrefrontal cortexCocaine useOrbitofrontal cortexUse disordersVentromedial prefrontal cortexPositron emission tomography scanPositron emission tomography studyEmission tomography scanSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AHealthy control subjectsVolume of distributionEmission tomography studiesAcute cocaineControl subjectsTomography scanCocaine exposurePreclinical studiesHC subjectsDendritic spinesLifetime cocaine useImaging brain cortisol regulation in PTSD with a target for 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1
Bhatt S, Hillmer AT, Rusowicz A, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Angarita GA, Najafzadeh S, Kapinos M, Southwick SM, Krystal JH, Carson RE, Huang Y, Cosgrove KP. Imaging brain cortisol regulation in PTSD with a target for 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2021, 131: e150452. PMID: 34651587, PMCID: PMC8516462, DOI: 10.1172/jci150452.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderPositron emission tomographyVolume of distributionDehydrogenase type 1Trauma-exposed controlsPTSD groupTranslocator proteinType 1Veterans Affairs (VA) National CenterOverall PTSD severityBrain glucocorticoidBrain immuneMethodsSixteen individualsPeripheral cortisolMicroglial markersImmune suppressionTranslational Science AwardsCortisol levelsNIH National CenterTC groupCortisol regulationEmission tomographyStress disorderLower PTSD symptomsPTSD symptomsIn vivo evidence of lower synaptic vesicle density in schizophrenia
Radhakrishnan R, Skosnik PD, Ranganathan M, Naganawa M, Toyonaga T, Finnema S, Hillmer AT, Esterlis I, Huang Y, Nabulsi N, Carson RE, D’Souza D. In vivo evidence of lower synaptic vesicle density in schizophrenia. Molecular Psychiatry 2021, 26: 7690-7698. PMID: 34135473, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01184-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSynaptic vesicle densityHealthy controlsVesicle densityHigh-resolution research tomographySynaptic densitySCZ patientsVivo measuresNovel positron emission tomography (PET) ligandGender-matched healthy controlsCumulative antipsychotic exposurePositron emission tomography (PET) ligandSynaptic spine densityPsychosis symptom severityGray matter volumeJ bindingAntipsychotic exposureSpine densityDisease progressionFrontal cortexOccipital cortexTomography ligandTemporal cortexAnterior cingulateVivo findingsParietal cortex