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Positron emission tomography in psychiatry.
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Psychiatric Developments
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Positron emission tomography (PET) reveals altered brain metabolism in psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar depression, and anorexia. PET neuroreceptor studies in schizophrenia show potential D2-dopamine receptor changes, aiding treatment insights.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) enables the study of human brain function.
- PET utilizes positron-labeled tracers and quantitative models to assess regional brain metabolism and neuroreceptor characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of PET in psychiatric research, focusing on brain metabolism and neuroreceptor studies.
- To explore metabolic alterations in various psychiatric disorders and neuroreceptor findings in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies employing Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in psychiatric populations.
- Analysis of regional brain metabolism and neuroreceptor characteristics using PET data.
Main Results:
- Schizophrenia often shows decreased brain metabolism, potentially due to altered neuronal function.
- Other disorders exhibit varied metabolic patterns: decreased in bipolar depression and long-term alcohol abuse, increased in obsessive-compulsive, panic, and anorexia nervosa.
- PET studies on D2-dopamine receptors in schizophrenia yielded mixed results, but suggest conventional neuroleptic doses achieve significant receptor occupancy.
Conclusions:
- PET is a valuable tool for psychiatric research, offering insights into brain function and informing treatment strategies.
- Metabolic and neuroreceptor abnormalities identified by PET may be crucial in understanding the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders.