Synthesis and evaluation of p-iodophentermine (IP) as a brain perfusion imaging agent

Recently N-isopropyl-rho-[/sup 123/I]-iodoamphetamine (IMP) has been reported as a potential cerebral perfusion imaging agent for single-photon emission tomography (SPECT). Since addition of a methyl group in the alpha position of amphetamine results in increased lipophilicity and prolonged residence time of the compound in the brain, the authors synthesized and evaluated the biological behaviour of rho-Iodo phenteramine (IP). IP was prepared by diazotization of rho-aminophentermine followed by decomposition of the diazonium salt with KI. Radioiodinated analog was prepared either by the solid-phase isotopic exchange reaction of Mangner et al or by decomposition of the piperidinotrazine derivative with a radiochemical yield of 40-60%. Biodistribution in rats showed that the brain concentration of /sup 131/I-IP was 1.69 +- 0.53, 1.70 +- 0.23 and 1.72 +- 0.11% injected dose/g tissue at 5, 30 and 60 min respectively, after IV injection. The lung uptake was 10.82% ID/g at 5 min and decreased to 7.7% ID/g at 60 min. The thyroid activity was low during the first hour of the study indicating minimal deiodination on the aryl ring. Sequential images of the brains of three dogs after intracarotid injection of /sup 123/I-IP showed localization of activity to one hemisphere of the brain, and clearance of <15% at one hour. In addition, SPECT images revealed more intense localization in the region of gray matter then white matter in the brain