Molecular imaging techniques especially positron emission tomography (PET) have been increasingly applied in contemporary CNS drug discovery and development. Such techniques allow in the living animal or human subjects the assessment of compound exposure in the CNS, binding to the designated target(s), and the relationship of occupancy and pharmacodynamic effects, as well as the development of biomarkers. Speakers will address advantages and pitfalls, and current methods of molecular imaging for CNS drug discovery and/or development, and provide a range of examples of successful PET tracer development for novel therapeutics.

The BPDG at the New York Academy of Sciences represents a diverse group of scientists and others with an interest in biochemistry, molecular biology, biomedical research, and related areas. Members are from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and university and medical center research facilities across the Eastern United States. The group also serves as the Biochemical Topical Group for the American Chemical Society's New York Section. The purpose of the BPDG is to bring together diverse institutions and communities, industrial and academic, to share new and relevant information at the frontiers of research and development.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are high impact therapeutic targets, constituting 50% of drug targets and generating annual drug sales above 50 billion dollars (Lundstrom K, 2006). Historically, most drug discovery campaigns have sought to identify compounds that specifically activate the receptor (agonists), or block activation by an endogenous compound (antagonist), both via a G-protein dependent signaling pathway.

The BPDG at the New York Academy of Sciences represents a diverse group of scientists and others with an interest in biochemistry, molecular biology, biomedical research, and related areas. Members are from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and university and medical center research facilities across the Eastern United States. The group also serves as the Biochemical Topical Group for the American Chemical Society's New York Section. The purpose of the BPDG is to bring together diverse institutions and communities, industrial and academic, to share new and relevant information at the frontiers of research and development.