18 F-XTRA PET (Positron-emission tomography) is a new radiotracer that can help researchers understand neurodegenerative disease and the aging brain. Earlier studies have shown less abundance of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α4β2-nAChR) in the cortex and hippocampus of the brain in aging patients and those with neurodegenerative disease. These receptors are responsible for cognitive functions, and minor loss of its activity leads to a range of neurological disorders. However, there is a scarcity of fast and high-performing α4β2-nAChR-targeting radiotracer in the brain area where the receptor is less densely expressed.
18 F-XTRA, a new radiotracer, is tested on the extrathalamic regions of the brain of 17 adults. Researchers have found that this radiotracer rapidly entered the brain and distributed quickly. It may be a sensitive method to detect the hypothesized loss of…
