title: Simultaneous estimation of input functions: an empirical study.
abstract: In neuroreceptor mapping, methods for the estimation of distribution volume require determination of a metabolite-corrected arterial input function. In application, this may be accomplished by collecting arterial blood samples during scanning, adjusting these measurements according to a separate metabolite analysis, and then modeling the resulting concentration data. Although many groups do this routinely, it is invasive and requires considerable effort. Furthermore, both the plasma and the metabolite data are noisy, and thus estimation of kinetic parameters can be affected by this variability. One promising alternative to full-input function modeling is the simultaneous estimation (SIME) approach, in which kinetic parameters and common input function parameters are estimated using results obtained from several regions at once. We investigate the performance of this approach on data from four different radioligands, using various kinetic models, comparing the results with those obtained by estimation using full-input function modeling. Results indicate that SIME provides a promising alternative for all the radioligands considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W. 168th St., 6th floor, New York, NY 10032, USA. todd.ogden@columbia.edu
authors.forename: R Todd
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Ogden
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zanderigo
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choy
authors.forename: J John
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Ramin V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Parsey
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals