Fluorine-18-Labeled Antagonist for PET Imaging of Kappa Opioid Receptors

Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonists are potential drug candidates for diseases such as treatment-refractory depression, anxiety, and addictive disorders. PET imaging radiotracers for KOR can be used in occupancy study to facilitate drug development, and to investigate the roles of KOR in health and diseases. We have previously developed two 11 C-labeled antagonist radiotracers with high affinity and selectivity toward KOR. What is limiting their wide applications is the short half-life of 11 C. Herein, we report the synthesis of a first 18 F-labeled KOR antagonist radiotracer and the initial PET imaging study in a nonhuman primate.