Imaging of the brain serotonin transporters (SERT) with 18F-labelled fluoromethyl-McN5652 and PET in humans.

Purpose [11C]DASB is currently the most frequently used highly selective radiotracer for visualization and quantification of central SERT. Its use, however, is hampered by the short half-life of 11C, the moderate cortical test–retest reliability, and the lack of quantifying endogenous serotonin. Labelling with 18F allows in principle longer acquisition times for kinetic analysis in brain tissue and may provide higher sensitivity. The aim of our study was to firstly use the new highly SERT-selective 18F-labelled fluoromethyl analogue of (+)-McN5652 ((+)-[18F]FMe-McN5652) in humans and to evaluate its potential for SERT quantification.