Jason Cai, PhD
Associate Professor of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging and of PharmacologyDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Pharmacology
Secondary
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Associate Professor of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging and of Pharmacology
Biography
Dr. Jason Cai is an Associate Professor of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging and of Pharmacology, with expertise in Medicinal Chemistry and Radiopharmaceutical Sciences. After studying at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Dr. Cai joined Carolyn Anderson’s lab at the University of Pittsburgh as a postdoctoral associate, focusing on radiopharmaceutical development and preclinical PET imaging in oncology. In 2015, he joint Yale PET Center to expand his research portfolio to brain PET imaging. His research group is currently focusing on the development and translation of novel PET imaging probes for drug PK/PD study and the investigation of CNS disorders and Oncology. He is the recipient of the NIH Career Development Award (K01) in 2017, SNMMI Berson-Yalow Award in 2018, and Archer Foundation Research Scholar Award in 2019.
Last Updated on July 29, 2023.
Appointments
Radiology & Biomedical Imaging
Associate Professor on TermPrimaryPharmacology
Associate Professor on TermSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Bioimaging Sciences
- Center for Brain & Mind Health
- DNA Damage and Genome Integrity
- Mental Health PET Radioligand Development (MHPRD) Program
- Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
- MR Core
- PET Core
- Pharmacology
- Radiology & Biomedical Imaging
- Wu Tsai Institute
- Yale Biomedical Imaging Institute
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Center for Immuno-Oncology
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral/Research Associate
- University of Pittsburgh (2015)
- PhD
- University of Missouri-Columbia, Chemistry (2011)
Research
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Overview
PET imaging; Brain imaging; Cancer diagnosis and prognosis; Biomarker and drug discovery and development
Medical Research Interests
Alzheimer Disease; Biomarkers; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Development; Drug Discovery; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacology; Positron-Emission Tomography
Public Health Interests
Aging; Biomarkers
ORCID
0000-0002-2005-6760
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Jason Cai's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Jason Cai's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Jason Cai is interested in exploring.
Takuya Toyonaga, MD, PhD
Nabeel Nabulsi, PhD
Yiyun Huang, PhD
Richard Carson, PhD
David Matuskey, MD
Stephen Strittmatter, MD, PhD, AB
21Publications
313Citations
Positron-Emission Tomography
Alzheimer Disease
Biomarkers
Publications
2025
In Vivo PET Imaging of Preynaptic Density Reveals Stress-Associated Synaptic Deficits Related to Behavioral and Molecular Alterations in Rats
Asch R, Hernandez Martin N, Garcia-Milian R, Fowles K, DiLeone R, Cai Z, Liston C, Esterlis I. In Vivo PET Imaging of Preynaptic Density Reveals Stress-Associated Synaptic Deficits Related to Behavioral and Molecular Alterations in Rats. Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience And Neuroimaging 2025 PMID: 41038318, DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2025.09.021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNovel object recognitionPrefrontal cortexPositron emission tomographySucrose preferenceSynaptic densityChronic stressExposed to chronic unpredictable stressIn vivo PET imagingRodent models of chronic stressModel of chronic stressFemale Long-Evans ratsChronic unpredictable stressIn vivo positron emission tomographyStress-related pathologiesLong-Evans ratsRodent modelsRats relative to controlsIn vivo quantificationRelative to controlsUnpredictable stressBehavioral phenotypesSynaptic deficitsHippocampal proteinsSynaptic density changesSynaptic vesicle protein 2A[18F]SynVesT-1 PET Detects SV2A Changes in the Spinal Cord and Brain of Rats with Spinal Cord Injury
Chen B, Zheng C, Balayeva T, Toyonaga T, Wang X, Tong J, Mennie W, Mihailovic J, Coman D, Hyder F, Strittmatter S, Carson R, Huang Y, Cai Z. [18F]SynVesT-1 PET Detects SV2A Changes in the Spinal Cord and Brain of Rats with Spinal Cord Injury. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2025, 66: 1440-1448. PMID: 40675757, PMCID: PMC12410297, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.124.269291.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSpinal cord injuryDistribution volume ratioDiffusion tensor imagingSpinal cordRat modelDay 1SUV ratioImmunohistochemical stainingSham controlsDay 9PET imagingRat model of spinal cord injuryContusion SCI rat modelSpinal cord injury ratsModel of spinal cord injuryCord injuryWestern blottingModerate contusion injuryBrain of ratsDiffusion tensor imaging analysisPost-mortem spinal cordTraumatic spinal cord injurySCI rat modelSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ACervical cordEvaluation of radio-thin-layer chromatography as an alternative to radio-HPLC for [18F]SynVesT-1 metabolism analysis in rats
Balayeva T, Asch R, Tan P, Mennie W, Tong J, Chen B, Zhuang Z, Zheng C, Zheng M, Toyonaga T, Cai Z. Evaluation of radio-thin-layer chromatography as an alternative to radio-HPLC for [18F]SynVesT-1 metabolism analysis in rats. Nuclear Medicine And Biology 2025, 146: 109029. PMID: 40383020, PMCID: PMC12228526, DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2025.109029.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPositron emission tomographyParent fractionSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2ANeuropsychiatric disordersBrain regionsRadiometabolite analysisPET imaging dataLongitudinal studyRadiometabolitesRadio-HPLCArterial blood samplesEmission tomographyBrainMetabolic correctionIntravenous infusionPlasma concentrationsPET quantificationSV2AKinetic modelBlood samplesRadio-high-performance liquid chromatographyPost-injectionRatsRadio-HPLC methodRadio thin layer chromatography270. Sex-Differences in Molecular and Synaptic Mechanisms Contributing to Stress-Related pathology: Insight from a Synaptic Density Pet and Proteomic Study in Rats
Asch R, Garcia-Milian R, Hernandez-Martin N, Cai Z, Esterlis I. 270. Sex-Differences in Molecular and Synaptic Mechanisms Contributing to Stress-Related pathology: Insight from a Synaptic Density Pet and Proteomic Study in Rats. Biological Psychiatry 2025, 97: s207. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.02.508.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCurrent Advances in PARP1‐Targeted Theranostics
Tong J, Chen B, Volpi T, Li Y, Ellison P, Cai Z. Current Advances in PARP1‐Targeted Theranostics. Journal Of Labelled Compounds And Radiopharmaceuticals 2025, 68: e4135. PMID: 39995212, DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.4135.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPoly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1Blood-brain barrierCentral nervous systemBlood-tumor barrierPotential clinical useBRCA mutationsHomologous recombination repair pathwayPARP inhibitorsPharmacodynamic evaluationPatient stratificationPersonalized oncologyPharmacological characteristicsClinical useBrain tumorsBrain barrierDiagnostic imagingPET imagingCancerNervous systemTherapeutic interventionsBrain cancerPathophysiological conditionsTreatment assessmentPARPiNeurological disorders
2024
Repetitive Mild Closed-Head Injury Induced Synapse Loss and Increased Local BOLD-fMRI Signal Homogeneity
Markicevic M, Mandino F, Toyonaga T, Cai Z, Fesharaki-Zadeh A, Shen X, Strittmatter S, Lake E. Repetitive Mild Closed-Head Injury Induced Synapse Loss and Increased Local BOLD-fMRI Signal Homogeneity. Journal Of Neurotrauma 2024, 41: 2528-2544. PMID: 39096127, PMCID: PMC11698675, DOI: 10.1089/neu.2024.0095.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsChronic variable stressRegional homogeneityFunctional brain abnormalitiesSynapse densityMild closed-head injuryClosed-head injuryTraumatic brain injuryTreat traumatic brain injuryNeurobiological alterationsMild head injuryVariable stressBrain abnormalitiesPositron emission tomographyMultimodal studiesSynaptic densityMagnetic resonance imagingBrain imagingBrain injuryInduce synapse lossFMRIInjured miceMouse modelEmission tomographyResonance imagingCompensatory mechanismsNoninvasive quantification of [18F]SynVesT-1 binding using simplified reference tissue model 2
Naganawa M, Gallezot J, Li S, Nabulsi N, Henry S, Cai Z, Matuskey D, Huang Y, Carson R. Noninvasive quantification of [18F]SynVesT-1 binding using simplified reference tissue model 2. European Journal Of Nuclear Medicine And Molecular Imaging 2024, 52: 113-121. PMID: 39155309, DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06885-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsPositron emission tomographyCentrum semiovaleReference regionPositron emission tomography scanTest-retest variabilityTest-retest reproducibilitySynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AOne-tissue compartmentArterial blood samplesRetest scansGold standardBrain uptakeEmission tomographyBlood samplesCerebellumNoninvasive quantificationSRTM2ConclusionOur findingsPopulation averageHealthy participantsMetabolite analysisScan timeBPNDSemiovaleFirst-in-Human Study of 18F-SynVesT-2: An SV2A PET Imaging Probe with Fast Brain Kinetics and High Specific Binding
Drake L, Wu Y, Naganawa M, Asch R, Zheng C, Najafzadeh S, Pracitto R, Lindemann M, Li S, Ropchan J, Labaree D, Emery P, Dias M, Henry S, Nabulsi N, Matuskey D, Hillmer A, Gallezot J, Carson R, Cai Z, Huang Y. First-in-Human Study of 18F-SynVesT-2: An SV2A PET Imaging Probe with Fast Brain Kinetics and High Specific Binding. Journal Of Nuclear Medicine 2024, 65: jnumed.123.266470. PMID: 38360052, PMCID: PMC10924160, DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.123.266470.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsFirst-in-human studyPlasma free fractionTime-activity curvesCentrum semiovaleNonhuman primate's resultsFirst-in-humanFree fractionNondisplaceable binding potentialRegional time-activity curvesLow nonspecific uptakeRegional distribution volumesHigh-resolution research tomograph scannerTest-retest reproducibilityCerebral blood flowSynaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2AHealthy volunteersArterial input functionNonspecific uptakePET imaging probeDistribution volumeSynapse densityIndividual MR imagesHighest specific bindingMR imagingPET imaging
2023
PET Imaging of Rho‐Associated Protein Kinase 2 in A Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Zheng C, Nicholson L, Chen B, Toyonaga T, Liu M, Strittmatter S, Carson R, Huang Y, Cai Z. PET Imaging of Rho‐Associated Protein Kinase 2 in A Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer's & Dementia 2023, 19 DOI: 10.1002/alz.081695.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAPP/PS1 micePS1 miceWT miceCentral nervous systemTime-activity curvesAlzheimer's diseaseAPP/PS1 transgenic miceAPP/PS1 transgenic AD miceMouse brainAge-matched WT controlsPS1 transgenic miceAPP/PS1Transgenic AD miceDynamic PET imaging dataROCK2 protein expressionAD drug discoveryHigh tracer uptakeMin post injectionPET imaging resultsExpression levelsReference tissue model 2PET imaging dataProtein expression levelsAD miceRegional time-activity curvesNeuronal transcriptome, tau and synapse loss in Alzheimer’s knock-in mice require prion protein
Stoner A, Fu L, Nicholson L, Zheng C, Toyonaga T, Spurrier J, Laird W, Cai Z, Strittmatter S. Neuronal transcriptome, tau and synapse loss in Alzheimer’s knock-in mice require prion protein. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy 2023, 15: 201. PMID: 37968719, PMCID: PMC10647125, DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01345-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSynapse lossDKI miceTau accumulationBrain immune activationNeural network dysfunctionPhospho-tau accumulationAccumulation of tauNeuronal genesInflammatory markersAD miceAβ levelsPrion proteinDystrophic neuritesImmune activationTau pathologyNeuronal gene expressionAmyloid-β OligomersGliotic reactionNetwork dysfunctionBehavioral deficitsSynaptic failureAD modelMemory impairmentAlzheimer's diseaseFunction of age
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Honors
honor Archer Foundation Research Award
01/01/2019National AwardArcher FoundationDetailsUnited Stateshonor Berson-Yalow Award
06/24/2018International AwardSNMMIDetailsUnited Stateshonor Young Investigator Award
07/16/2016International AwardFunctional NeuroReceptor MappingDetailsUnited States
News & Links
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Media
- Zheng, C. et al. A metabolically stable PET probe for imaging the synaptic vesicle protein 2A: Synthesis and preclinical characterization of [18F]SDM-16.
- The in vivo quantification of synaptic density by SV2A PET in rodent brains opens an avenue to measure the synaptic dynamics in the context of other proteinopathies and circuit changes longitudinally for mechanistical studies and to monitor therapeutical interventions preclinically.
News
- November 12, 2025
YSM Researchers Recognized with Yale Faculty Innovation Awards
- November 12, 2025Source: Yale Ventures
From Lab to Launch: Eleven Faculty Innovators Recognized for Turning Research into Real-World Impact
- September 12, 2025Source: Journal of Nuclear Medicine / SNMMI
Novel PET Tracer Detects Synaptic Changes in Spinal Cord and Brain After Spinal Cord Injury
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PET Core
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