[¹⁸F]AzaFol PET captures folic acid dynamics at folate receptors in the brain.

ABSTRACT: Cerebral folate receptor α (FRα) is essential for transporting folate into the central nervous system, supporting normal biological functions and fetal neurodevelopment. We aimed to provide in vivo measurements of folic acid dynamics at FRα in non-human primate brains using positron emission tomography (PET) and [¹⁸F]AzaFol, a high-affinity FRα radioligand. A 0.01 mg/kg intravenous dose of folic acid, comparable to pregnancy supplementation doses (400-800 µg), dramatically reduced FRα availability in the choroid plexus (CP), based on uptake profiles and exploratory kinetic modeling. Following this dose, [¹⁸F]AzaFol uptake increased, potentially capturing (1) FRα-mediated transport of folic acid and (2) real-time FRα recycling, which may restore binding sites as

SUBMITTER: Bagdasarian FA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12668997 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature