In vivo imaging of the mouse cholinergic projection system using [18F]FEOBV

Positron emission tomography (PET) with the [18F]‐Fluoroethoxybenzovesamicol ([18F]FEOBV) radiotracer is a promising tool for in vivo imaging of VAChT – a protein found specifically in the cholinergic system. However, the sensitivity and specificity of [18F]FEOBV uptake to known changes in VAChT protein levels remains untested. The aim of this study is therefore to use [18F]FEOBV in mouse lines where VAChT protein expression is held under precise genetic control to determine whether [18F]FEOBV brain uptake reflects the endogenous levels of VAChT present in different genetic mouse models.