Continuous infusion micro positron emission tomography

Micro Positron Emission Tomography, or µPET, is a functional imaging technique that provides very high sensitivity; ideal to perform dynamic studies. Observing metabolic changes during dynamic µPET is challenging. Injecting a single bolus of the radiotracer implies the need of decay correction. Due to the decrease in radiotracer concentration over time, image quality will decrease in late frames of the dynamic µPET acquisition. By using continuous infusion of the radiotracer subtle or fast changes in the metabolism can be observed, with equal image quality over the complete duration of the dynamic µPET acquisition. Rat brain stimulation experiments have been investigated using this technique.

Contact: Chris Vanhove, Vincent Keereman