Brain imaging for the vasopressin V1A receptor linked to autism
PET ligand discovery for arginine vasopressin
Creating a new PET tracer to see vasopressin V1A receptors in the brains of people with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11357648 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to produce a PET imaging tracer that specifically binds the V1A vasopressin receptor, a protein associated with autism. The team will chemically modify and test candidate compounds, building on an earlier selective ligand that had poor brain uptake. Promising tracers will be screened in animals and higher species for safety and brain penetration before the top candidate is prepared for human imaging. Human PET scans would map V1A receptor distribution and help measure whether V1A-targeted drugs reach their target in living brains.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include adults with autism spectrum disorder who can safely undergo PET imaging and possibly healthy volunteers for comparison.
Not a fit: People who cannot tolerate PET scans, are pregnant, or whose condition is unlikely linked to vasopressin signaling may not receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let clinicians and researchers see V1A receptor levels in living brains, improving understanding of autism and speeding development of targeted treatments.
How similar studies have performed: To date no V1A-specific PET tracer has been successful for human use, although earlier compounds were selective but lacked sufficient brain penetration.
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.