PET brain imaging in neurological disorders

Lijun Xie; Jihua Zhao; Ye Li; Jie Bai

doi:10.1016/j.plrev.2024.03.007

PET brain imaging in neurological disorders

Phys Life Rev. 2024 Mar 24:49:100-111. doi: 10.1016/j.plrev.2024.03.007. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lijun Xie¹, Jihua Zhao², Ye Li³, Jie Bai⁴

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Life science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China; Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Medical school, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China; Department of Nuclear Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, PR China.
² Department of Nuclear Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, PR China.
³ Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Medical school, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China. Electronic address: liye918@kust.edu.cn.
⁴ Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Medical school, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China. Electronic address: jiebai662001@126.com.

PMID: 38574584
DOI: 10.1016/j.plrev.2024.03.007

Abstract

Brain disorders are a series of conditions with damage or loss of neurons, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), or drug dependence. These individuals have gradual deterioration of cognitive, motor, and other central nervous system functions affected. This degenerative trajectory is intricately associated with dysregulations in neurotransmitter systems. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, employing radiopharmaceuticals and molecular imaging techniques, emerges as a crucial tool for detecting brain biomarkers. It offers invaluable insights for early diagnosis and distinguishing brain disorders. This article comprehensively reviews the application and progress of conventional and novel PET imaging agents in diagnosing brain disorders. Furthermore, it conducts a thorough analysis on merits and limitations. The article also provides a forward-looking perspective in the future development directions of PET imaging agents for diagnosing brain disorders and proposes potential innovative strategies. It aims to furnish clinicians and researchers with an all-encompassing overview of the latest advancements and forthcoming trends in the utilization of PET imaging for diagnosing brain disorders.

Keywords: Brain disorders; Drug dependence; Innovative strategies; Molecular imaging agents; Neurodegenerative diseases; Positron emission tomography.

Publication types

Review