A PET imaging tracer to see mGluR2 receptors in Alzheimer's and related dementias
Subtype-Selective Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor PET Ligands
This project is creating a new PET imaging tracer to visualize mGluR2 receptors in the brains of people with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11061246 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a chemical tracer that binds to mGluR2, a brain protein involved in controlling glutamate and protecting neurons. They will test the tracer in lab and animal studies to confirm brain entry and specific binding, then work toward translating it for human PET imaging. PET scans with the tracer would show where mGluR2 is located, how much is present, and whether drugs engage that target in the living brain. This could help scientists understand mGluR2 changes in Alzheimer's and guide the development and dosing of new therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias who can safely undergo PET imaging and follow study procedures.
Not a fit: People who cannot tolerate PET scans, have contraindications to imaging, or do not have an Alzheimer’s-related condition are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tracer could let doctors and researchers see mGluR2 in living brains, improving development and monitoring of treatments that target this pathway in Alzheimer's and related dementias.
How similar studies have performed: To date no PET tracer has successfully imaged mGluR2 in humans and previous candidates showed poor brain penetration or low specificity, so this approach is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liang, Steven H — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Liang, Steven H
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.