Introduction

Our research focus is on the elucidation of the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases, e.g., schizophrenia, depression, and dementia, using PET and MRI. PET technique with molecular probes enables us to measure the function of neurotransmission in humans. Activation studies using MRI with psychological and physiological tasks allow the investigation of regional neural function. The aim of our research work is the establishment of bio-markers for early diagnosis and evaluation of treatment using PET combined with MRI in clinical studies.

Research Introduction

Our research plans are:

1. Development of methods to quantify neurotransmission function.
(1) Development of methods to calculate parametric images of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors.
(2) Investigation of changes in activated microglia density in Alzheimer's disease using parametric images.

2. Construction of normal database of neurotransmission function.
(1) Construction of normal database of dopaminergic neural system using several radioligands for dopaminergic functions.
(2) Investigation of relation between regional densities of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors and cognitive functions.

3. Clinical research for elucidation of pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases.
(1) Investigation of changes in dopamine transporter and dopamine synthesis in schizophrenia.
(2) Measurement of endogenous dopamine release due to nicotine stress.

4. Estimation of drug treatment effect.
(1) Evaluation of regional differences in dopamine D2 receptor occupancy by neuroleptics.
(2) Measurement of time course in dopamine D2 receptor occupancy by several neuroleptics with different dissociation constants.

members