PET radioligands for the vesicular transporters for monoamines and acetylcholine

Abstract

The vesicular transporters for the monoamine and acetylcholine have been successfully targeted for the development of radioligands for human brain imaging. The vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 ligands are based on the structure of tetrabenazine, a known clinically used drug. In contrast, the radioligands for vesicular acetylcholine transporter are based on vesamicol, a toxic xenobiotic. The similarities and differences in the development of these two classes of radioligands are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.