Synergistic interactions between various PET imaging measures with functional connectivity, eye and sleep-related behavior in healthy population compared to people with drug use disorders

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre 

In our lab we use striatal, thalamic and cortical dopamine D1 and D2/3 receptor density (i.e., via C11-RAC and C11-NNC) PET imaging under stimulant (i.e., methylphenidate) challenge (as an indirect measure of dopamine release) and combine these measures with task and resting-state fMRI, behavior, personality, and peripheral measures (i..e, eye-tracking, respiration) on various conditions including sleep deprivation and addiction. Other PET ligands we use include F18-Fludeoxyglucose (FDG) for energy metabolism and F18-Florbetaben) for amyloid burden. In my presentation I will show how local (i.e., striatal and thalamic) and cortical PET measures, particularly under stimulant challenge, can teach us how brain dopamine system and glucose metabolism synergistically relate to individual’s central and autonomic nervous system behavior and performance.