18 Mar 21. Featured Paper
Kinetic modeling & parameter estimation of TSPO PET imaging in the human brain.
Link to paper on European Journal of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging
Authors
Catriona Wimberley, Sonia Lavisse, Ansel Hillmer, Rainer Hinz, Federico Turkheimer & Paolo Zanotti-Fregonara
Abstract
Purpose: Translocator protein 18-kDa (TSPO) imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) is widely used in research studies of brain diseases that have a neuro-immune component.
Quantification of TSPO PET images, however, is associated with several challenges, such as the lack of a reference region, a genetic polymorphism affecting the affinity of the ligand for TSPO, & a strong TSPO signal in the endothelium of the brain vessels.
These challenges have created an ongoing debate in the field about which type of quantification is most useful & whether there is an appropriate simplified model.
Methods: This review focuses on the quantification of TSPO radioligands in the human brain.
The various methods of quantification are summarized, including the gold standard of compartmental modeling with metabolite-corrected input function as well as various alternative models & non-invasive approaches.
Their advantages & drawbacks are critically assessed.
Results & conclusions: Researchers employing quantification methods for TSPO should understand the advantages & limitations associated with each method.
Suggestions are given to help researchers choose between these viable alternative methods.
Keywords
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Inflammation
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Kinetic modeling
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Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO)
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Featured paper: Kinetic modeling & parameter estimation of TSPO PET imaging in the human brain.
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