A brief overview of PET quantification

Abstract

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a powerful in vivo imaging technique that allows for quantification of numerous biological process of interest such as  receptors (dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, glutamate, GABA, etc) or abnormal protein aggregates (amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, etc) or brain functions (blood flow or glucose uptake). Development of novel PET tracers and methodologies has advanced the understanding of pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative diseases and it plays a crucial role as a clinical diagnostic tool. This presentation will discuss the theoretical basis behind brain PET quantification, different kinetic models and methodologies, and practical approach for using PET in research and clinical settings.

Biography 

Min Su (Peter) Kang is a Ph.D. candidate who is currently working on the development of translational neuroscience framework, in which investigates the effects of amyloidosis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) spectrum using multimodal imaging techniques and fluid biomarkers. Min Su (Peter) utilizes Positron Emission Topography (PET), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and plasma to characterize the relationship between amyloidosis and various pathophysiological processes observed in AD spectrum using McGill-R-Thy1-APP transgenic rat model and Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database.