Population pharmacokinetic analysis for simultaneous determination of B_max and K_D In Vivo by positron emission tomography

Purpose: Changes in GABA_A-receptor density and affinity play an important role in many forms of epilepsy. A novel approach, using positron emission tomography (PET) and [C-11]flumazenil ([C-11]FMZ), was developed for simultaneous estimation of GABA_A-receptor properties, characterized by B_max and K_D. Procedures: Following an injection of [C-11]FMZ (dose range: 1-2,000 μg) to 21 rats, concentration time curves of FMZ in brain (using PET) and blood (using HPLC-UV) were analyzed simultaneously using a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model, containing expressions to describe the time course of the plasma concentration (including distribution to the body), the brain distribution, and the specific binding within the brain. Results: Application of this method in control rats resulted in estimates of B_max and K _D (14.5 ± 3.7 ng/ ml and 4.68 ± 1.5 ng/ml, respectively). Conclusions: The proposed population PK model allowed for simultaneous estimation of B_max and K_D for a group of animals using single injection PET experiments per animal.