Project Summary This proposal describes an innovative scientific solution for imaging biological changes underlying neuropathic pain. We propose to develop [18F]4-fluorogabapentin a novel PET tracer based on the drug gabapentin. This project includes optimizing our current radiosynthetic methods to generate isomerically pure [18F]4-fluorogabapentin (Aim 1), testing the tracer in rat models of neuropathic pain using microPET (Aim 2) and validating the tracer in nonhuman primates using PET (Aim 3). Successful completion of these aims will provide a much-needed tool to understand the role of gabapentin receptors in neuropathic pain which may serve to diagnose and monitor neuropathic pain. In addition, this novel PET radiotracer may provide a quantitative imaging tool that correlates well with self-reported pain for the development of novel pain therapies.