臨床神経学

第48回日本神経学会総会

<シンポジウム2-2>神経伝達機能イメージング:Cutting Edge
ドパミンD1, D2受容体の分布と機能

須原 哲也, 三好 美智恵

独立行政法人 放射線医学総合研究所 分子イメージング研究センター分子神経イメージング研究グループ 脳病態研究チーム〔〒263-8555 千葉市稲毛区穴川4丁目9番1号〕

Positron emission tomography (PET) techniques have made it possible to measure changes in target molecular in living human brain. PET can be used to investigate various brain functions such as receptors, transporters, enzymes and various biochemical pathways; therefore, it could be a powerful tool for molecular imaging of functional neurotransmission. Since dopamine is an important molecule for pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia, we reviewed in vivo imaging studies focusing on dopaminergic transmission. Dopamine D2 receptor occupancy by antipsychotics and it's time-course have been measured using PET. This approach can provide in vivo pharmacological evidences of antipsychotics and establish the rational therapeutic strategy. PET is a powerful tool not only in the field of brain research but also drug discovery. On the other hand Dopamine D1 receptor is highly expressed in the prefrontal cortex, has been implicated in the control of working memory, seeking, craving, reward. We propose that dysfunction of Dopamine D1 receptor signalling in the prefrontal cortex may contribute to the negative symptoms and cognitive deficits seen in schizophrenia and we suggest that Dopamine D1 receptor binding and cerebral blood flow changes in ventral striatum play the important role of cigarette craving.

(臨床神経, 47:826−828, 2007)
key words:Positron Emission Tomography(PET), Dopamine D1 receptor, Dopamine D2 receptor, schizophrenia, receptor occupancy

(受付日:2007年5月16日)