Towards in vivo imaging of functionally active 5-HT(1A) receptors in schizophrenia: concepts and challenges

The serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptor has attracted wide attention as a target for treatment of psychiatric disorders. Although this receptor is important in the pharmacological mechanisms of action of new-generation antipsychotics, its characterization remains incomplete. Studies based on in vitro molecular imaging on brain tissue by autoradiography, and more recently in vivo PET imaging, have not yielded clear results, in particular due to the limitations of current 5-HT(1A) radiotracers, which lack specificity and/or bind to all 5-HT(1A) receptors, regardless of their functional status. The new concept of PET neuroimaging of functionally active G-protein-coupled receptors makes it possible to revisit PET brain exploration by enabling new research paradigms. For the 5-HT(1A) receptor it is now possible to use [(18)F]-F13640, a 5-HT(1A) receptor radioligand with high efficacy agonist properties, to specifically visualize and quantify functionally active receptors, and to relate this information to subjects’ pathophysiological or pharmacological state. We therefore propose imaging protocols to follow changes in the pattern of functional 5-HT(1A) receptors in relation to mood deficits or cognitive processes. This could allow improved discrimination of different schizophrenia phenotypes and greater understanding of the basis of therapeutic responses to antipsychotic drugs. Finally, as well as targeting functionally active receptors to gain insights into the role of 5-HT(1A) receptors, the concept can also be extended to the study of other receptors involved in the pathophysiology or therapy of psychiatric disorders.