title: Simultaneous PET-MRI: a new approach for functional and morphological imaging.
abstract: 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.
authors: 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.
authors: Martin S
authors: MS
authors: Judenhofer
authors: Hans F
authors: HF
authors: Wehrl
authors: Danny F
authors: DF
authors: Newport
authors: Ciprian
authors: C
authors: Catana
authors: Stefan B
authors: SB
authors: Siegel
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Becker
authors: Axel
authors: A
authors: Thielscher
authors: Manfred
authors: M
authors: Kneilling
authors: Matthias P
authors: MP
authors: Lichy
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Eichner
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Klingel
authors: Gerald
authors: G
authors: Reischl
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Widmaier
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Röcken
authors: Robert E
authors: RE
authors: Nutt
authors: Hans-Jürgen
authors: HJ
authors: Machulla
authors: Kamil
authors: K
authors: Uludag
authors: Simon R
authors: SR
authors: Cherry
authors: Claus D
authors: CD
authors: Claussen
authors: Bernd J
authors: BJ
authors: Pichler
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins