Drug Designing: Open Access
Open Access
ISSN: 2169-0138
ISSN: 2169-0138
Matthias Schonberger
The Katholieke University Leuven, Belgium
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Drug Des
Voltage-gated sodium channels constitute an integral component of electrical conduction in neurons and cardiomyocytes. By actuating depolarizing currents, they initiate neuronal action potential firing and underlie the electromechanical coupling in the heart. Changes in NaV function or expression levels can have severe consequences, including neuropathic pain and lethal arrhythmia. Given this integral role in human pathologies, NaVs have been targeted by local anesthetics and antiarrhythmics for decades. However, it has not been possible to measure NaV levels and drug occupancy in vivo due to lacking molecular probes and non-invasive techniques. To fill this gap and enhance our understanding of in vivo NaV function, we have developed the first positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for cardiac NaVsā??radio caine. In this talk, I will present the development and in vivo characterization of radio caine and discuss steps towards future translational perspectives.
E-mail: matthias.schonberger@kuleuven.be