Quantification of AMPA receptor densities enables to disclose underlying mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders

Abstract

The excitatory glutamate AMPA receptor is the most important molecule for processing information in the brain. We have succeeded in developing the first-in-class PET drug ([¹¹C] K-2) that visualizes AMPA receptors in the living human brain (Nature Medicine 2020). AMPA-PET imaging of patients with psychiatric disorders can disclose the molecular pathology underlying the diseases, contributing to the creation of novel disease animal models based on the phenotype of patients. Our research approach, basic and clinical fusion research, is expected to elucidate the biological basis for multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. AMPA-PET is attributed to the development of therapeutic methods targeting AMPA receptors, which have been delayed worldwide due to the inability of the technology to visualize AMPA receptors in human, leading to the foundation for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic methods based on the molecular evidence of “seeing and treating AMPA receptors.”