Reliability of striatal [11C]raclopride binding in smokers wearing transdermal nicotine patches

• DOI: 10.1007/s00259-011-1965-z
• Publication Date: 2011-10-18T14:36:50Z
• Authors: Karmen K. Yoder; Daniel S. Albrecht; David A. Kareken; Lauren M. Federici; Kevin M. Perry; Elizabeth A. Patton; Qi-Huang Zheng; Bruce H. Mock; Sean J. O’Connor; Christine M. Herring
• Keywords: Positron emission tomography; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Test-retest variability; Dopamine; [11C]raclopride; Transdermal nicotine patch; D2 receptor; 3. Good health

Purpose In studies where [11C]raclopride (RAC) positron emission tomography (PET) is used to assess changes in striatal dopamine, it is important to control for cognitive states, such as drug craving, that could alter dopamine levels. In cigarette smokers, transdermal nicotine patches (TNP) can control nicotine craving, but the effects of nicotine patches on RAC binding are unknown. Thus, we sought to determine the test-retest reliability of RAC binding in the presence of nicotine patches.