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Positron Emission Tomography

Positron Emission Tomography

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique involving radiopharmaceuticals — substances that emit short-lived radiation. Although the first PET scanner was introduced in 1961, it took 15 more years before radiopharmaceuticals were combined with the technique and revolutionized its potential.
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...

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Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique that provides crucial insights into the body's physiological functions at a molecular level. It is an indispensable resource for diagnosing, staging, and monitoring various illnesses, notably cancer, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.
Fundamental Principles of PET

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Positron emission tomography for use in microdosing studies.

Claudia Christina Wagner¹, Markus Müller, Graham Lappin

¹Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger-Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Current Opinion in Drug Discovery & Development

|January 5, 2008

Summary

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with microdoses of radiolabeled tracers is revolutionizing drug development. This technique quantifies drug concentrations in tissues, linking pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for better drug efficacy.

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Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Radiochemistry
Medical Imaging

Background:

Positron emission tomography (PET) is increasingly used in clinical drug development.
PET imaging allows direct, quantitative assessment of drug concentrations in target tissues.
This bridges the gap between pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current applications of PET microdosing in drug development.
To highlight PET's role in anticancer, anti-infective, and central nervous system research.
To emphasize PET microdosing as an innovative tool for pharmaceutical development.

Main Methods:

Utilizes microdoses of radiolabeled drug tracers.
Employs Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging.
Focuses on quantitative assessment of drug distribution and concentration.

Main Results:

PET microdosing enables direct measurement of drug levels in target tissues.
This facilitates a quantitative link between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Applications are demonstrated in oncology, infectious diseases, and neurology.

Conclusions:

PET microdosing is a powerful tool at the preclinical-clinical interface.
It offers innovative solutions for modern pharmaceutical development.
Its acceptance is growing in clinical drug development.