Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Council of Research, Naples, Italy
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1 Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: cuocolo@unina.it.
2 Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Council of Research, Naples, Italy.
3 Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
References: Not available.
Advances in SPECT Methodology
The emerging role of molecular imaging has made possible to evaluate and
quantify biochemical changes of molecular targets in specific
neurochemical systems involved in movement disorders, providing
neurochemical information of clinical changes before the pathological
features occurred. In detail, radionuclides imaging techniques are
frequently used for the in vivo study of neurotransmitter and receptor
function, alterations in cerebral blood flow and metabolic activity,
abnormal protein deposition, and inflammation, with a central role in
molecular imaging for preclinical and clinical studies. The present
chapter represents an overview of main use of single-photon emission
computed tomography (SPECT) in movement disorders, with a focal
attention on specific radiotracers used, recent advances in SPECT
technology and reconstruction algorithm and added specific value of
semiquantitative methods for images analysis. Finally, a brief paragraph
is dedicated to description of SPECT/CT devices and advantages of using
hybrid technology.