Simultaneous PET-MRI: a new approach for functional and morphological imaging.
Noninvasive imaging at the molecular level is an emerging field in biomedical research. This paper introduces a new technology synergizing two leading imaging methodologies: positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although the value of PET lies in its high-sensitivity tracking of biomarkers in vivo, it lacks resolving morphology. MRI has lower sensitivity, but produces high soft-tissue contrast and provides spectroscopic information and functional MRI (fMRI). We have developed a three-dimensional animal PET scanner that is built into a 7-T MRI. Our evaluations show that both modalities preserve their functionality, even when operated isochronously. With this combined imaging system, we simultaneously acquired functional and morphological PET-MRI data from living mice. PET-MRI provides a powerful tool for studying biology and pathology in preclinical research and has great potential for clinical applications. Combining fMRI and spectroscopy with PET paves the way for a new perspective in molecular imaging.
Judenhofer
Martin S
MS
Laboratory for Preclinical Imaging and Imaging Technology of the Werner Siemens Foundation, Department of Radiology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Röntgenweg 13, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Wehrl
Hans F
HF
Newport
Danny F
DF
Catana
Ciprian
C
Siegel
Stefan B
SB
Becker
Markus
M
Thielscher
Axel
A
Kneilling
Manfred
M
Lichy
Matthias P
MP
Eichner
Martin
M
Klingel
Karin
K
Reischl
Gerald
G
Widmaier
Stefan
S
Röcken
Martin
M
Nutt
Robert E
RE
Machulla
Hans-Jürgen
HJ
Uludag
Kamil
K
Cherry
Simon R
SR
Claussen
Claus D
CD
Pichler
Bernd J
BJ
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D015415:Biomarkers; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins