Molecular Dynamics Imaging Unit

We aim to establish a PET imaging- based quantitative evaluation platform for pharmacokinetics in order to elucidate the molecular dynamics associated with the ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion) processes in living body, and aim to develop novel disease-specific PET imaging methods to evaluate drug efficacy, during the drug developmental process. We will also focus on the development of an integrated research system combining functional neuroimaging method and classic research techniques, including electrophysiology, behavioral pharmacology, histology and genetic engineering approaches, and thereby carry out a comprehensive investigation of the molecular/cellular mechanisms underlying the psychiatric processes, especially regarding pain sensation and fatigue sensation.

Research Fields

Biology & Biochemistry / Pharmacology & Toxicology / Neuroscience & Behavior / Psychology & Psychiatry

Research Subjects

• Establishment of PET imaging-based evaluation platform for pharmacokinetics
• Development of disease-specific PET imaging methods for evaluation of drug efficacy
• Development of a PET imaging based integrated research system to elucidate the molecular/cellular mechanisms of the psychiatric processes

Publications

1. Cui, Y.L., Takamatsu, H., Kakiuchi, T., Ohba, H., Kataoka, Y., Yokoyama, C., Onoe, H., Watanabe, Y., Hosoya, T., Suzuki, M., Noyori, R., Tsukada, H. and Watanabe, Y.:
   "Neuroprotection by a Central Nervous System-Type Prostacyclin Receptor Ligand Demonstrated in Monkeys Subjected to Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion and Reperfusion. A Positron Emission Tomography Study"
   Stroke 37, 2830-2836, 2006.
2. Cui, Y.L., Kataoka, Y., Inui, T., Mochizuki, T., Onoe, H., Matsumura, K., Urade, Y., Yamada, H. and Watanabe, Y.:
   "Up-regulated neuronal COX-2 expression after cortical spreading depression is involved in non-REM sleep induction in rats"
   J Neurosci Res 86(4), 929-936, 2008.
3. Cui, Y.L., Takashima, T., Takashima-Hirano, M., Wada, Y., Shukuri, M., Tamura, Y., Doi, H., Onoe, H., Kataoka, Y. and Watanabe, Y.:
   "11C-PK11195 PET for the In Vivo Evaluation of Neuroinflammation in the Rat Brain After Cortical Spreading Depression"
   J Nucl Med 50(11), 1904-11, 2009.
4. Takashima, T., Nagata, H., Nakae, T., Cui, Y.L., Wada, Y., Kitamura, S., Doi, H., Suzuki, M., Maeda, K., Kusuhara, H., Sugiyama, Y., and Watanabe, Y.:
   "PET studies using 15R-[11C]TIC-Me for the evaluation of hepatobiliary transport"
   J Pharmacol Exp Ther 335(2), 314-323, 2010.
5. Akazawa, K. H., Cui, Y.L., Tanaka, M., Kataoka, Y., Yoneda, Y., and Watanabe, Y.:
   "Mapping of regional brain activation in response to fatigue-load and recovery in rats with c-Fos immunohistochemistry"
   Neurosci Res 66(4), 372-9, 2010.
6. Ozawa, M., Takahashi, K., Akazawa, K. H., Takashima, T., Nagata, H., Doi, H., Hosoya, T., Wada, Y., Cui, Y.L., Kataoka, Y. and Watanabe, Y.:
   "PET of Aromatase in Gastric Parietal Cells Using 11C-Vorozole"
   J Nucl Med 52, 1964-1969, 2011.
7. Kuboyama, T., Nakahara, M., Yoshino, M., Cui, Y.L., Sako, T., Wada, Y., Imanishi, T., Obika,, S., Watanabe, Y., Suzuki, M. and Doi, H.:
   "Stoichiometry-focused 18F-labeling of alkyne-substituted oligodeoxynucleotides using azido ([¹⁸F]fluoromethyl) benzenes by Cu-catalyzed huisgen reaction"
   Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 19, 249-255, 2011.
8. Yamashita, S., Takashima, T., Kataoka, M., Oh, H., Sakuma, S., Takahashi, M., Suzuki, N., Hayashinaka, E., Wada, Y., Cui, Y.L., and Watanabe, Y.:
   "Imaging of gastrointestinal absorption process of orally administered drugs using positron emission tomography"
   J Nucl Med 52, 249-256, 2011.
9. Takashima, T., Kitamura, S., Wada, Y., Tanaka, M., Shigihara, Y., Ishii, H., Ijuin, R., Shiomi, S., Nakae, T., Watanabe, Y., Cui, Y.L., Doi, H., Suzuki, M., Maeda, K., Kusuhara, H., Sugiyama, Y. and Watanabe, Y.:
   "Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging-based evaluation of hepatobiliary transport in humans using 15R–[¹¹C]TIC-Me"
   J Nucl Med 53(5): 741-748, 2012.
10. Cui, Y.L., Li, Q.H., Yamada, H., Watanabe, Y., Kataoka, Y.:
    "Chronic degeneration of dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons modulates cortical spreading depression: A possible pathophysiology of migraine"
    J Neurosci Res in press