# Development of a PET radioligand for alpha2delta-1 receptors to visualize and quantify neuropathic pain mechanisms  neuropathic pain mechanisms

> **NIH NIH R21** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $455,500

## Abstract

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.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10110506
- **Project number:** 1R21NS120139-01
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Pedro Brugarolas
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $455,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10110506

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10110506, Development of a PET radioligand for alpha2delta-1 receptors to visualize and quantify neuropathic pain mechanisms  neuropathic pain mechanisms (1R21NS120139-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10110506. Licensed CC0.

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