Positron Emission Tomography Imaging: Pharmacokinetic Modeling Applications in Health and Disease

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a molecular imaging tool that enables the in vivo study of normal and pathological processes at the cellular and molecular levels with high sensitivity, in contrast to the high spatial resolution that is possible using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).  This presentation will provide a brief overview of PET imaging fundamentals and pharmacokinetic modeling approaches that are used to quantify cerebral blood flow, glucose metabolism, and ligand-protein binding (e.g., targeting of neuropathological protein deposits) in living humans. Examples of the unique value that PET kinetic data can provide will be described in the context of human research investigations, such as aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and obesity. Recent advances in near total body PET imaging will also be discussed in the context of how this technology can extend PET kinetic research capabilities and enable new insights and understanding.