The Neurotachykinin NK1 Receptor – A Novel Target for Diagnostics and Therapy

Despite the knowledge, which has been accumulated on the central and peripheral actions of the neurokinin (NK) substance P (SP) over the last 80 years, it is only beginning to receive the attention of nuclear medicine physicians and scientists. Recently, two foci of interest have emerged: firstly, the performance of in vivo imaging studies of cerebral NK1 receptor binding with non-peptidergic NK1 receptor radioligands, and, secondly, radionuclide therapy with radiolabelled SP analogues targeting NK1 receptor binding sites. The present paper gives an overview on the utilization of nonpeptidergic and peptidergic NK1 receptor radioligands in diagnostics and therapy. Keywords: Aprepitant, anxiety disorder, chronic pain, depression, epilepsy, glioma, NK1 receptor, substance P.