Alpha-difluoromethyl-DOPA
Alpha-difluoromethyl-DOPA (α-DFMD) is a fluorinated amino acid analogue and a radiopharmaceutical used in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. It is a derivative of DOPA, a naturally occurring amino acid that is converted into dopamine in the brain.
Chemistry[edit | edit source]
Alpha-difluoromethyl-DOPA is a fluorinated analogue of DOPA. The presence of the fluorine atom allows it to be used as a radiotracer in PET imaging. The compound is labeled with the radioactive isotope F-18, which emits positrons that can be detected by the PET scanner.
Medical Use[edit | edit source]
Alpha-difluoromethyl-DOPA is used in PET imaging to study the dopaminergic system in the brain. It is particularly useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons. The compound is taken up by the dopaminergic neurons and converted into fluorodopamine, which can be visualized on the PET scan.
Safety and Side Effects[edit | edit source]
As with any radiopharmaceutical, there is a risk of radiation exposure with the use of alpha-difluoromethyl-DOPA. However, the risk is considered to be low due to the short half-life of F-18. Side effects are rare and typically mild, including headache and nausea.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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