Pet And Spect In Neurology

PET and SPECT in Neurology highlight the combined expertise of renowned authors whose dedication to the investigation of neurological disorders through nuclear medicine technology has achieved international recognition. Classical neurodegenerative disorders are discussed as well as cerebrovascular disorders, brain tumors, epilepsy, head trauma, coma, sleeping disorders and inflammatory and infectious diseases of the CNS. The latest results in nuclear brain imaging are detailed. Most chapters are written jointly by a clinical neurologist and a nuclear medicine specialist to ensure a multidisciplinary approach. This state-of-the-art compendium will be valuable not only to neurologists and radiologists/nuclear medicine specialists but also to interested general practitioners and geriatricians. It is the second volume of a trilogy on PET and SPECT imaging in the neurosciences, the other volumes covering PET and SPECT in psychiatry and in neurobiological systems.

This Fourth Edition reflects the significant recent progress that has occurred in functional brain imaging, particularly the increased use of PET/SPECT, the use of SPECT and PET in movement disorders and dementia, and advances in radiopharmaceutical development and instrumentation. Chapter topics include PET physics and instrumentation, PET radiopharmaceuticals, SPECT radiopharmaceuticals, and technical factors. The entire book has been thoroughly revised to reflect an appropriate balance between SPECT and PET applications. Highlights of this edition include a new chapter on neuroreceptor imaging and kinetic modeling, a new chapter on brain imaging in movement disorders, and significant updates on SPECT radiopharmaceuticals.

PET and SPECT of Neurobiological Systems combine the expertise of authors internationally renowned for their dedication to the development of novel probes and techniques for the investigation of neurobiological systems. Various aspects of neurotransmission in the brain are discussed, such as visualization and quantification of neuroreceptors, neuroinflammatory markers, transporters and enzymes as well as neurotransmitter synthesis, β-amyloid deposition, cerebral blood flow and the metabolic rate of glucose. The latest results in probe development are also detailed. Most chapters are written jointly by radiochemists and nuclear medicine specialists to ensure a multidisciplinary approach. This state-of-the-art compendium will be valuable to all with an interest in the field of clinical or preclinical neuroscience. Other volumes focus on PET and SPECT in psychiatry and PET and SPECT in neurology".

Radioisotope-based molecular imaging probes provide unprecedented insight into biochemistry and function involved in both normal and disease states of living systems, with unbiased in vivo measurement of regional radiotracer activities offering very high specificity and sensitivity. No other molecular imaging technology including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can provide such high sensitivity and specificity at a tracer level. The applications of this technology can be very broad ranging from drug development, pharmacokinetics, clinical investigations, and finally to routine diagnostics in radiology. The design and the development of radiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging studies using PET/MicroPET or SPECT/MicroSPECT are a unique challenge. This book is intended for a broad audience and written with the main purpose of educating the reader on various aspects including potential clinical utility, limitations of drug development, and regulatory compliance and approvals.

PET and SPECT in Psychiatry showcases the combined expertise of renowned authors whose dedication to the investigation of psychiatric disease through nuclear medicine technology has achieved international recognition. The classical psychiatric disorders as well as other subjects – such as suicide, sleep, eating disorders, and autism – are discussed and the latest results in functional neuroimaging are detailed. Most chapters are written jointly by a clinical psychiatrist and a nuclear medicine expert to ensure a multidisciplinary approach. This state of the art compendium will be valuable to all who have an interest in the field of neuroscience, from the psychiatrist and the radiologist/nuclear medicine specialist to the interested general practitioner and cognitive psychologist. It is the first volume of a trilogy on PET and SPECT imaging in the neurosciences; other volumes will focus on PET and SPECT in neurology and PET and SPECT of neurobiological systems.

In the developed world, images of brain structure are available as an everyday diagnostic aid, and the characteristic appearances of most pathological conditions can be looked up in a textbook. Functional brain imaging is to this day less widely used, partly because most pressing diagnostic questions can be answered by refer ence to the patient's cerebral anatomy, partly for reasons of technical limitations of functional techniques. PET as a technique is sufficiently resource-demanding and complex to inhibit its use as an everyday diagnostic technique. SPECT lacked suitable tracers for many years, and early systems had poor spatial resolution. However, rotating gamma camera technology has advanced to the point where images of the brain of reasonable quality can be obtained at most large hospitals, and practical tracers, particularly of regional cerebral blood flow, are easily avail able. As research advances, clinical applications are emerging. A recent report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology! details a number of currently recognised clinical appli cations, some of which are dealt with in this book. Given this recognition, it is increasingly important that clinicians (particularly neuroclinicians, psychiatrists and specialists in cerebrovascular disease), nuclear medicine specialists and physicists acquire an idea of the major applications of the technique, and the research background on which these applications are based.

This comprehensive colour atlas provides a state-of-the-art view of Single Photon Emission Computerised Tomography (SPECT) in relation to its application in the fields of nuclear medicine and psychiatry. The broad range of topics covered by experts in the fields of nuclear medicine, neurology and psychiatry from all over the world, reflects the most recent evolution in functional neuroimaging with clinical neuropsychiatric sciences. The book is organised with respect to clinical indication, which implies that whenever possible methodological problems related to clinical indication are categorised under the relevant topic. It is designed to stimulate discussion of some issues of paramount importance for the present and future development of this interdisciplinary modality for the study of patients with diseases of the central nervous system. This textbook is an important tool to all nuclear physicians, neurologists and psychiatrists and will serve as a guide towards the optimal application of SPECT in diagnosis, study of pathophysiology and therapeutic follow-up in neuropsychiatric illnesses.

Single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) is a relatively cheap and widely available instrument for the examination of brain perfusion, cerebral blood flow and activity of neurotransmitter systems. The European project 'SPECT in dementia' sets out to overcome some of the factors holding back the development of clinical neuroimaging. It has developed a methodology for combining results from different imaging centres, at the same time making scan assessment more objective and powerful. Moreover, using objective voxel-based methods of image analysis improves the diagnostic performance of less-experienced clinicians and contributes to their training. This publication gives an excellent general overview of the new methods of image analysis and sharing. It is complemented by a systematic review of the diagnostic utility of SPECT in dementia and a cost-effectiveness model of diagnostic improvements in Alzheimers disease. This book is essential reading for all scientists, economists and clinicians in geriatric medicine, neurology and psychiatry, neuro-radiology and nuclear medicine working with patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease, who want to stay ahead in this rapid developing field.