Synthesis and evaluation of a 18F-labeled spirocyclic piperidine derivative as promising σ1 receptor imaging agent

Several spirocyclic piperidine derivatives were designed and synthesized as σ1 receptor ligands. In vitro competition binding assays showed that the fluoroalkoxy analogues with small substituents possessed high affinity towards σ1 receptors and subtype selectivity. Particularly for ligand 1′-((6-(2-fluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-3H-spiro[2-benzofuran-1,4′-piperidine] (2), high σ1 receptor affinity (Ki = 2.30 nM) and high σ1/σ2 subtype selectivity (142-fold) as well as high σ1/VAChT selectivity (234-fold) were observed. [18F]2 was synthesized using an efficient one-pot, two-step reaction method in a home-made automated synthesis module, with an overall isolated radiochemical yield of 8-10%, a radiochemical purity of higher than 99%, and specific activity of 56-78 GBq/μmol. Biodistribution studies of [18F]2 in ICR mice indicated high initial brain uptake and a relatively fast washout. Administration of haloperidol, compound 1 and different concentrations of SA4503 (3, 5, or 10 μmol/kg) 5 min prior to injection of [18F]2 significantly decreased the accumulation of radiotracer in organs known to contain σ1 receptors. Ex vivo autoradiography in Sprague-Dawley rats demonstrated high accumulation of radiotracer in brain areas with high expression of σ1 receptors. These encouraging results prove that [18F]2 is a suitable candidate for σ1 receptor imaging with PET in humans.