Abstract: The present invention relates to novel modified fatty acid analogs, where a positron or gamma-emitting label is placed at a position on a fatty acid backbone and an organic substituent is substituted at the 2,3; 3,4; 4,5; 5,6 and other sequence positions of a fatty acid backbone. These novel fatty acid analogs are designed to enter the tissues of interest by the same long chain fatty acid carrier mechanism as natural fatty acids, however, functional substituents in the 2,3; 3,4; 4,5; 5,6 and other sequence positions, block the catabolic pathway, thus trapping these analogs in a virtually unmodified form in the tissues of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for detection and therapy of active atheromatous plaque and/or thin-capped fibro-atheroma (“vulnerable plaque”), using selectively targeted fluorescent, radiolabeled, or fluorescent and radiolabeled compositions. The present invention further relates to methods and devices for detection and therapy of active atheromatous plaques and/or vulnerable plaques, using selectively targeted beta-emitting compositions, optionally comprising fluorescent compositions.

Abstract: Radiopharmaceutical compounds are disclosed. A tropane compound is linked through the N atom at the 8-position to a chelating ligand capable of complexing technetium or rhenium to produce a neutral labeled complex that selectively binds to the dopamine transporter over the serotonin transporter with a ratio of 10 or more. These compounds can be prepared as separate diastereoisomers as well as a mixture of diastereoisomers. Also disclosed are radiopharmaceutical kits for preparing the labeled radiopharmaceutical compounds.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing attention deficient-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a human patient by assessing the level of dopamine transporter in at least one region of the patient's central nervous system, where an elevated level of dopamine transporter in the patient is indicative of ADHD. In embodiments of the invention, assessment of dopamine transporter levels includes assessing binding of a dopamine transporter ligand to the dopamine transporters using PET or SPECT.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to a method of imaging cardiovascular plaque formation in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of 18F-2-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose and then detecting the 18F-2-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for selectively targeting Photodynamic Therapy (“PDT”) to inflammatory components of vulnerable plaques. As such, the present invention provides methods for the identification of vulnerable plaques, using fluorescent compositions, which include photosensitizer compoisitions, and/or radiolabeled compounds, as well as methods to treat vulnerable plaques by selectively targeting and/or eliminating the inflammatory components of vulnerable plaques.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of preparing radiofluorinated substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and alkenyl compounds. In a preferred embodiment, potassium fluoride-18 is used. Another aspect of the invention relates to piperazine compounds containing fluorine-18 that are useful as imaging agents. In certain embodiments, the piperazine compounds contain a quaternary amine. Another aspect of the invention relates to arylphosphonium compounds containing fluorine-18 that are useful as imaging agents. In certain embodiments, the phosphonium compound is a tetraaryl phosphonium salt. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of obtaining a positron emission image of a mammal, comprising the steps of administering to a mammal a compound of the invention, and acquiring a positron emission spectrum of the mammal.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to biotin-containing compounds that are useful as imaging agents and drug-delivery agents. Another aspect of the invention relates to the aforementioned compounds chelated to a metal atom. In a preferred embodiment, the metal atom is a gadolinium. Another aspect of the invention relates to a compound comprising three biotin moieties and a pharmaceutical agent covalently bound to a heterocyclic core. In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical agent is an antibiotic, antiviral, or radionuclide. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of treating disease involving administering the compounds of the invention to a mammal. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of acquiring a magnetic resonance image using the compounds of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for selectively targeting Photodynamic Therapy (“PDT”) to inflammatory components of vulnerable plaques. As such, the present invention provides methods for the identification of vulnerable plaques, as well as methods to treat vulnerable plaques by selectively targeting and/or eliminating the inflammatory components of vulnerable plaques. The invention further relates to a specially designed intravascular device that delivers excitation light to the plaque surface inside the artery and receives emitted fluorescence light when a fluorescent signal is detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for detection and therapy of active atheromatous plaque and/or thin-capped fibro-atheroma (“vulnerable plaque”), using selectively targeted fluorescent, radiolabeled, or fluorescent and radiolabeled compositions. The present invention further relates to methods and devices for detection and theraphy of active atheromatous plaques and/or vulnerable plaques, using selectively targeted beta-emitting compositions, optionally comprising fluorescent compositions.

Abstract: Novel vasopressin analogs having the general schematic formula: ##STR1## wherein X is selected from the group consisting of H and NH.sub.2 and Y is selected from the group consisting of --S--S--, --CH.sub.2 S-- and --SCH.sub.2 -- and A=L when B=D and A=D when B=L and a method of treatment using these compounds to increase the level of Factor VIII and plasminogen activator in a subject's blood.