Analysis of [ 11 C ] L - deprenyl - D 2 ( DEP - D ) brain PET studies

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) is present in the outer mitochondrial membrane occurring in the brain predominantly in glial cells and in serotonergic neurons [Fowler et al., 2005]. It oxidizes amines (for example dopamine) from both endogenous and exogenous sources. MAO B is selectively and irreversibly inhibited by L-deprenyl (selegiline). When the enzyme-substrate complex is formed, the rate-limiting step of MAO B catalyzed oxidation creates a highly reactive intermediate, which forms a covalent bond with the enzyme, thus irreversibly inactivating it [Fowler et al., 2005]. When L-deprenyl is labelled with C, the active enzyme MAO B becomes labelled, and it can be imaged in vivo with PET.