IN-VIVO LABELING OF NICOTINIC ACETYLCHOLINE-RECEPTORS IN BRAIN WITH [H-3] EPIBATIDINE

In vivo imaging of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in brain has been hampered by lack of an adequate radioligand. In the present study, [H -3]epibatidine was administered to mice intravenously, and its time-co urse in brain regions and sensitivity to blockade by nicotinic drugs w ere studied. The distribution of radioligand accumulation in brain, an d the pharmacological characteristics of binding indicate that radiola beled forms of epibatidine would be exceptionally promising ligands fo r the study of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in vivo.