This trial aims to determine whether dopamine D3 receptors are elevated in smokers versus nonsmokers and whether correlations exist between D3 receptor binding potential (BP) and functional MRI (fMRI) reactivity to smoking cues, which has been associated with smoking relapse vulnerability. Neuroimaging measures of D3 BP and smoking cue fMRI reactivity will be collected concurrently in otherwise healthy nicotine-dependent smokers and age-matched nonsmokers using a 3 Tesla MRI scanner configured to conduct fMRI and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). We will measure D3 receptor BP using radiolabeled \[11C\]-(+)-PHNO, which has a relatively higher affinity for D3 versus D2 receptors. We hypothesize that D3 BP will be elevated in smokers versus nonsmokers and that in smokers, there will be a positive correlation between smoking cue fMRI reactivity and D3 BP.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
\[11C\]-PHNO will be administered once intravenously to conduct Positron Emission Tomography (PET) measurements of dopamine D2/D3 binding potential.
McLean Hospital
Belmont, Massachusetts, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging
Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States
Dopamine D3 Receptor Binding Potential Difference Between Smokers and Nonsmokers
We will determine whether dopamine D3 receptor binding potential, a dimensionless number which represents the relative concentration of dopamine D3 receptors available for binding, is elevated in smokers versus nonsmoking controls.
Time frame: March 2014
Smoking Cue fMRI Reactivity Association with Dopamine D3 Receptor Binding Potential
In smokers, we will determine whether an association exists between smoking cue fMRI reactivity intensity (beta weight) and dopamine D3 receptor binding potential, a relationship between receptor (D3) density and dopamine occupancy.
Time frame: March 2014
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