POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY (PET) STUDY OF THE ALTERATIONS IN BRAIN DISTRIBUTION OF [C-11] METHAMPHETAMINE IN METHAMPHETAMINE SENSITIZED DOG

[C-11]Methamphetamine ([C-11]MAP) was synthesized by an automated on-l ine [C-11]methylation system for positron emission tomography (PET) st udy. We newly produced a MAP sensitized dog by repeated MAP treatment and studied the brain distribution of [C-11]MAP in the normal and the MAP sensitized dog. The maximal level of accumulation of [C-11]MAP in the sensitized dog brain was 1.4 times higher than that in the control . No difference was found in the metabolism of MAP between the two con ditions. The significant increase of [C-11]MAP in the MAP sensitized b rain indicates that subchronic MAP administration causes some function al change in uptake site of MAP.