Radiopharmaceutical for Central Nervous System Diseases

Project description

GABA transporters (GATs) are crucial for inhibitory neurotransmission as they remove GABA from the synaptic cleft. Targeting and modulating GATs has therapeutic potential in many neurological diseases such as epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and in multiple sclerosis, as well as in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and panic disorders. Of the four GABA transporters (GATs), GAT-1 has no selective positron emission tomography (PET) imaging tracer available and has been specifically highlighted as a recent target of interest. A viable PET tracer would allow for visualisation of this GABA transporter for diagnosis, disease staging, and drug development. A collaborative project with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) proposes the preparation of an analogue library for use in the development of a Fluorine-18 [18F] labelled PET tracer, derived from the commercially successful anticonvulsant medication Tiagabine.

Co-supervisors

A/Prof Michael Perkins (Flinders), Prof Martin Johnston (Flinders), Dr Edward Robins (SAHRMI Head of Research and Development at the Molecular Imaging and Therapy Research Unit)

Assumed knowledge

General chemistry, organic chemistry

Supervisors research focus

For more about our research, visit www.chalkerlab.com

Industry involvement

This project is a collaboration with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI)

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You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.