Iofetamine

Iofetamine (also known as I-123) is a lipophilic amine that is used in nuclear medicine for the SPECT imaging of the brain. It is a radiopharmaceutical agent that is injected into the bloodstream and taken up by the brain tissue to allow for imaging.

History

Iofetamine was first developed in the 1970s as a potential radiotracer for use in neurology and psychiatry. It was initially used in the study of schizophrenia and other mental disorders, but its use has since expanded to include a wide range of neurological conditions.

Pharmacology

Iofetamine is a lipophilic amine that is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Once in the brain, it is taken up by the neurons and stored in the synaptic vesicles. This allows for the imaging of the brain using SPECT.

The radioactive isotope of iodine, I-123, is used in the preparation of iofetamine. This isotope emits gamma rays that can be detected by a gamma camera, allowing for the creation of an image of the brain.

Clinical use

Iofetamine is used in the diagnosis and monitoring of a variety of neurological conditions. These include stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy. It can also be used to assess brain function in patients with traumatic brain injury or brain tumors.

Side effects

As with all radiopharmaceuticals, there is a risk of radiation exposure with the use of iofetamine. However, the amount of radiation is small and the benefits of the procedure generally outweigh the risks. Other side effects are rare but can include allergic reactions and injection site reactions.

See also

• Radiopharmaceutical
• Single-photon emission computed tomography
• Blood-brain barrier

Iofetamine Resources
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