99mTc-propylene amine oxime (99mTc-PnAO); a potential brain radiopharmaceutical

Propylene amine oxime (PnAO) forms a neutral lipid soluble complex with 99mTc. 99mTc-PnAO can be prepared by simple reduction of 99mTc-pertechnetate with stannous ion in the presence of excess PnAO in saline at or near neutral pH. This agent will passively penetrate biological membranes including the intact blood-brain barrier (BBB) as evidenced by the high brain uptake observed shortly after IV injection. The first-pass extraction efficiency in baboons was estimated to be 80% at normal blood flow. This agent or a derivatized form of 99mTc-PnAO may be useful in assessment of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in humans.