Systemic catechol-O-methyl transferase inhibition enables the D1 agonist radiotracer R-[11C]SKF 82957

Introduction: R-[C-11]-SKF 82957 is a high-affinity and potent dopamine D-1 receptor agonist radioligand, which gives rise to a brain-penetrant lipophilic metabolite. In this study, we demonstrate that systemic administration of catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors blocks this metabolic pathway, facilitating the use of R-[C-11]-SKF 82957 to image the high-affinity state of the dopamine D-1 receptor with PET. Methods: R-[C-11]SKF 82957 was administered to untreated and COMT inhibitor-treated conscious rats, and the radioactive metabolites present in the brain and plasma were quantified by HPLC. Under optimal conditions, cerebral uptake and dopamine D-1 binding of R-[C-11] SKF 82957 were measured ex vivo. In addition, pharmacological challenges with the receptor antagonist SCH 23390, amphetamine, the dopamine reuptake inhibitor RTI-32 and the dopamine hydroxylase inhibitor alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine were performed to study the specificity and sensitivity of R-[C-11]-SKF 82957 dopamine D-1 binding in COMT-inhibited animals. Results: Treatment with the COMT inhibitor tolcapone was associated with a dose-dependent (EC90 5.3+/-4.3 mg/kg) reduction in the lipophilic metabolite. Tolcapone treatment (20 mg/kg) also resulted in a significant increase in the striatum/cerebellum ratio of R-[C-11]SKF 82957, from 15 (controls) to 24. Treatment with the dopamine D-1 antagonist SCH 23390 reduced the striatal binding to the levels of the cerebellum, demonstrating a high specificity and selectivity of R-[C-11]SKF 82957 binding. Conclusions: Pre-treatment with the COMT inhibitor tolcapone inhibits formation of an interfering metabolite of R-[C-11]SKF 82957. Under such conditions, R-[C-11]SKF 82957 demonstrates high potential as the first agonist radiotracer for imaging the dopamine D-1 receptor by PET. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.