Background
Neuromelanin is mostly located in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) pars compacta, and can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is a promising biomarker for Parkinson’s disease imaging. We previously developed N-(2-(diethylamino)-ethyl)-18F-5-fluoropicolinamide (18F-P3BZA) as a potential melanin-specific probe for detection of melanoma in living humans. In the current study we investigated whether 18F-P3BZA could be used to quantitatively detect neuromelanin in the SN in healthy rhesus macaques.
Results
18F-P3BZA exhibited desired hydrophobicity with estimated log Know 5.08 and log D7.4 1.68. 18F-P3BZA accumulated specifically in neuromelanotic PC12 cells, melanin-rich melanoma cells, and melanoma xenografts. 18F-P3BZA readily crossed the blood-brain barrier with brain transport coefficients (Kin) of 40 ± 8 µL g-1s-1. PET/MRI 18F-P3BZA provided clear visualization of neuromelanin-rich SN at 30–60 min after injection in healthy macaques. In in vitro autoradiography studies 18F-P3BZA exhibited high levels of binding to the SN, and almost no binding to surrounding midbrain tissues.
Conclusion
18F-P3BZA PET/MRI clearly images neuromelanin in the SN, and may assist in the diagnosis of neurological diseases associated with abnormal neuromelanin expression such as Parkinson’s disease.