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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Collection of Frozen Rodent Brain Regions for Downstream Analyses

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Published on: April 23, 2020

Quantitative Rodent Brain Receptor Imaging.

Kristina Herfert¹, Julia G Mannheim², Laura Kuebler²

¹Werner Siemens Imaging Center, Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany. kristina.herfert@med.uni-tuebingen.de.

Molecular Imaging and Biology

|June 7, 2019

Summary

Quantitative rodent brain imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) faces challenges in resolution and sensitivity. Advances in technology and methods are improving its application in preclinical research for understanding brain disorders.

Keywords:

Brain Mice PET imaging Rats Receptor quantification

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Medical Imaging
Pharmacology

Background:

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a key non-invasive imaging technique for in vivo studies of metabolic, physiological, and biochemical processes.
Small-animal PET systems and novel probes have significantly increased rodent brain imaging in biomedical research.
Understanding brain function and disorders relies on accurate in vivo imaging data.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the challenges and advances in quantitative rodent brain imaging using PET.
To highlight physical limitations and potential improvements in small-animal PET systems.
To discuss applications in preclinical research, including neurotransmitter systems and genome engineering.

Main Methods:

Review of small-animal PET system limitations (spatial resolution, sensitivity) and detector improvements.
Summary of acquisition and post-processing methods for rodent PET studies.
Discussion of test-retest variability factors, receptor quantification, kinetic modeling, and pharmacological interventions for neurotransmitter release.

Main Results:

Small-animal PET systems have limitations but are improving with detector advancements.
Various quantification methodologies and kinetic modeling approaches are used for rodent receptor and neurotransmitter studies.
Genome engineering technologies (CRISPR/Cas9, DREADD) and simultaneous PET/MRI offer new avenues for research.

Conclusions:

Quantitative rodent brain PET imaging is a powerful tool with ongoing advancements addressing its limitations.
The technology is crucial for preclinical research, aiding in the understanding of brain disorders and drug-receptor interactions.
Translation of PET findings from bench to bedside remains a key challenge and opportunity.