NIH Development and Application of PET and SPECT Imaging Ligands as Biomarkers for Drug Discovery and for Pathophysiological Studies of CNS Disorders (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) encourages the submission of research grant applications for the development of human positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)tracers for molecular targets (e.g., receptors, intracellular messengers, disease-related proteins) that are implicated in mental disorders as tools to study disease pathophysiology and/or for assessing target engagement of potential therapeutic candidates. The objective of this NOFO is to stimulate research to advance the development and testing in humans of PET and SPECT probes for disorders of primary interest to the NIMH.

The use of radiotracers for imaging molecular events in preclinical and clinical studies is essential for understanding the circuitry that underlies normal brain function and the pathophysiology of brain disorders. The long-term goal of this NOFO is to facilitate the broad application of human neuroimaging probes that are fit-for-purpose for their intended use in pathophysiological studies, drug discovery/development research, or biomarker development/qualification studies as quantifiable indicators of disease progression and treatment efficacy.