Evaluation of [18F]UCB-H as a novel PET tracer for synaptic vesicle protein 2A in the brain.

Synaptic vesicle 2 (SV2) proteins are critical to proper nervous system function and are involved in vesicle trafficking. The SV2A isoform has been identified as the binding site of the antiepileptic levetiracetam (LEV), making it an interesting therapeutic target for epilepsy. [18F]UCB-H is a novel PET imaging agent with a nanomolar affinity for human SV2A. Methods: preclinical PET studies were carried out in isoflurane anesthetized rats. Arterial input function was measured using an arteriovenous shunt and beta microprobe system. [18F]UCB-H was injected IV (140 ± 20 MBq bolus). Results: brain uptake of [18F]UCB-H was high, matching the expected homogeneous distribution of SV2A. The distribution volume (Vt) for [18F]UCB-H was calculated using Logan’s graphical analysis and the effect of LEV pretreatment on Vt measured. In control animals the mean whole-brain Vt was 9.76 ± 0.52 ml/cm3 (mean ± SD, n=4, test-retest), and the mean reproducibility in test-retest studies was 10.4 ± 6.5 %. Uptake of [18F]UCB-H was dose-dependently blocked by pretreatment with LEV (0.1 - 100 mg/kg IV).
Conclusion: our results indicate that [18F]UCB-H is a suitable radiotracer for the imaging of SV2A in vivo. This is the first PET tracer for in vivo quantification of SV2A. The necessary steps for implementation of [18F]UCB-H production under GMP conditions and first in human studies are planned.