Mefway (18F)

Mefway (18F) is a radioligand used in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. It is a fluorine-18 labeled analog of WAY-100635, a potent and selective antagonist of the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor. Mefway (18F) is used to visualize and quantify the distribution of 5-HT1A receptors in the human brain.

History

Mefway (18F) was first synthesized in the early 2000s as part of a broader effort to develop new radioligands for PET imaging of the serotonin system. The development of Mefway (18F) was motivated by the need for a radioligand with improved properties compared to existing 5-HT1A receptor PET tracers, such as [[11C]WAY-100635]].

Chemistry

Mefway (18F) is a fluorinated analog of WAY-100635. The fluorine-18 isotope is incorporated into the molecule via a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The resulting compound is a potent and selective antagonist of the 5-HT1A receptor, with a high affinity for this receptor subtype.

Pharmacology

Mefway (18F) binds selectively to the 5-HT1A receptor, allowing for the visualization and quantification of this receptor subtype in the brain. The binding of Mefway (18F) to the 5-HT1A receptor is reversible, which is a desirable property for a PET radioligand.

Clinical Use

Mefway (18F) is used in PET imaging to study the distribution and density of 5-HT1A receptors in the human brain. This can be useful in research and clinical settings, for example, to investigate the role of the serotonin system in psychiatric and neurological disorders.

See Also

• Positron emission tomography
• Radioligand
• Serotonin 5-HT1A receptor
• WAY-100635