The distribution of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in healthy aging: An in vivo positron emission tomography study with [¹⁸F]ASEM.

ABSTRACT: Altered function of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) is implicated in several neuropsychiatric diseases. Nevertheless, studies of the human cerebral α7-nAChR even in healthy aging are limited in number and to postmortem tissue.

Methods

The distribution of the cerebral α7-nAChR was estimated in nine brain regions in 25 healthy volunteers (ages 21-86 years; median 57 years, interquartile range 52 years) using [¹⁸F]ASEM with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Regional total distribution volume (V_T) measurements were calculated using the Logan method from each subject's 90 min dynamic PET data and their metabolite-corrected plasma input function. Spearman's rank or Pearson's correlation analysis was used depending on the normality of

SUBMITTER: Coughlin JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5738927 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature