Recent Dopamine Imaging in Psychiatry

Dopaminergic neurotransmission is of main interest in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as mood, substance use, and psychotic disorders. Numerous studies have revealed alterations of molecules contributing to dopaminergic neurotransmission, including dopamine D2/3 receptors (D2/3Rs), D1 receptors (D1Rs), transporters (DAT) and dopamine synthesis. Although in vivo molecular neuroimaging with positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) have been standards for quantification of these molecules, imaging modalities such as neuromelanin (NM), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have also been recently employed in the estimation of dopamine neurotransmission. These modalities can indirectly measure changes in dopamine neurotransmission in brain regions implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders.

The goal of this Research Topic is to collect findings from recent dopamine neuroimaging studies focusing on the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, as well as pharmacological/non-pharmacological treatment, in particular, intervention by psychotropic agents and neuromodulation such as electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).

We welcome original research articles, reviews, meta-analysis and perspective papers investigating:

• Novel dopamine neuroimaging techniques in patients with psychiatric disorders.
• Reproducibility of novel dopamine neuroimaging techniques in healthy individuals
• Changes in measurements of dopaminergic neurotransmission with conventional dopamine neuroimaging modalities by pharmacological/non-pharmacological intervention.
• Pharmacological fMRI studies on dopamine neurotransmission.
• Neuromelanin MRI and diffusion tensor imaging studies on dopaminergic neurotransmission system.
• Specific versus transdiagnostic changes of dopaminergic neurotransmission
• Multimodal imaging of dopaminergic neurotransmission