Radiotracers for the Central Serotoninergic System.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiochemistry
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• The central serotoninergic system plays a crucial role in regulating mood, cognition, and behavior.
• Dysfunction of this system is implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders.
• Accurate imaging of the serotoninergic system is essential for understanding its function and developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the most significant radiotracers developed for imaging the central serotoninergic system.
• To critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of existing radiotracers for both single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET).
• To guide future research in the development and application of novel imaging agents for this system.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of published studies on radiotracers for the central serotoninergic system.
• Inclusion of radiotracers suitable for both single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.
• Critical analysis of radiotracer characteristics, including binding affinity, selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and their application to specific serotonin receptors.

Main Results:

• Identification and summary of key radiotracers targeting various serotonin receptor subtypes.
• Discussion of the performance of SPECT and PET radiotracers in preclinical and clinical studies.
• Highlighting of radiotracers with favorable properties for in vivo imaging of the serotoninergic system.

Conclusions:

• A curated list of important radiotracers for central serotoninergic system imaging is presented.
• The review critically assesses the current state of SPECT and PET radiotracer development for serotonin receptors.
• This information is vital for researchers and clinicians utilizing neuroimaging techniques to study the serotoninergic system.