[Molecular imaging in neurological diseases].

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Oncology

Background:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has limitations in sensitivity and specificity for neurodegenerative diseases and neuro-oncology.
• Molecular imaging techniques like positron-emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) offer valuable adjuncts to MRI by assessing molecular targets and metabolic processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical relevance and indications of specific nuclear medicine imaging procedures.
• To highlight the utility of molecular imaging in diagnosing neurological disorders and brain tumors.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of amyloid PET for preclinical Alzheimer's disease detection.
• Review of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET and dopamine transporter (DaT)-SPECT for dementia and Parkinson's disease differential diagnosis.
• Examination of amino acid PET for brain tumor diagnosis and somatostatin receptor imaging for meningioma.

Main Results:

• Amyloid PET aids in early Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.
• (18)F-FDG-PET and DaT-SPECT are crucial for diagnosing dementia and Parkinson's disease.
• Amino acid PET and somatostatin receptor imaging improve brain tumor and meningioma diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Nuclear medicine imaging, including PET and SPECT, significantly improves diagnostic accuracy in neurology and neuro-oncology.
• These molecular imaging techniques provide critical information beyond standard MRI, aiding in early and differential diagnoses.