[11C]K-2

[11C]K-2 is a Carbon-11 labeled radiopharmaceutical developed as a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for the in vivo imaging of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors in the brain. AMPA receptors are a subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors that play a crucial role in fast excitatory synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. Dysregulation of AMPA receptor expression and function is associated with various central nervous system disorders, including epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, and major depressive disorder. [11C]K-2 functions as a high-affinity, selective negative allosteric modulator (non-competitive antagonist) of the AMPA receptor. Developed by researchers at the National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST) in Japan, this tracer demonstrates favorable kinetics, high brain permeability, and low non-specific binding, making it a valuable tool for quantifying AMPA receptor density and investigating the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric conditions in clinical research settings.

Other names

Carbon-11 K-2Carbon11 K-2Carbon 11 K-2[11C]-K2