Comparison in animal models of 18F-spiroperidol and 18F-haloperidol: potential agents for imaging the dopamine...

Fluorine-18-labeled haloperidol and spiroperidol have been prepared by an exchange reaction using the corresponding non-labeled compound or the nitro analog. Studies in rats have shown that the distribution of labeled spiroperidol has a high striatum to cerebellum ratio which is not observed with haloperidol. A ratio of 10.66 +/- 1.6 is obtained two hours after administration of the 18F-spiroperidol. When 18F-spiroperidol was administered to a baboon and tomographic images obtained, the dopamine receptor rich areas were clearly visualized two hours after administration.