Molecular Imaging of Conscious, Unrestrained Mice with AwakeSPECT

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013 · Journal of Nuclear Medicine

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.112.109090· OSTI ID:1089341

Baba, Justin S. ^[1]; Endres, Christopher J. ^[2]; Foss, Catherine A. ^[2]; Nimmagadda, Sridhar ^[2]; Jung, Hyeyun ^[2]; Goddard, James S. ^[1]; Lee, Seung Joon ^[3]; McKisson, John ^[3]; Smith, Mark F. ^[4]; Stolin, Alexander V. ^[5]; Weisenberger, Andrew G. ^[3]; Pomper, Martin G. ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory
2. Johns Hopkins, Baltimore
3. JLAB
4. University of Maryland
5. West Virginia University

We have developed a SPECT imaging system, AwakeSPECT, to enable molecular brain imaging of untrained mice that are conscious, unanesthetized, and unrestrained. We accomplished this with head tracking and motion correction techniques. Methods: The capability of the system for motion-corrected imaging was demonstrated with a ^99mTc-pertechnetate phantom, ^99mTc-methylene diphosphonate bone imaging, and measurement of the binding potential of the dopamine transporter radioligand ^123I-ioflupane in mouse brain in the awake and anesthetized (isoflurane) states. Stress induced by imaging in the awake state was assessed through measurement of plasma corticosterone levels. Results: AwakeSPECT provided high-resolution bone images reminiscent of those obtained from CT. The binding potential of ^123I-ioflupane in the awake state was on the order of 50% of that obtained with the animal under anesthesia, consistent with previous studies in nonhuman primates. Levels of stress induced were on the order of those seen in other behavioral tasks and imaging studies of awake animals. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the feasibility of SPECT molecular brain imaging of mice in the conscious, unrestrained state and demonstrate the effects of isoflurane anesthesia on radiotracer uptake.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF), Newport News, VA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1089341
• Report Number(s): JLAB-PHY-13-1759; DOE/OR/23177-2652
• Journal Information: Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Vol. 54, Issue 6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE