Small-Animal SPECT and SPECT/CT: Important Tools for Preclinical Investigation

摘要: The need to study dynamic biologic processes in intact small-animal models of disease has stimulated the development high-resolution nuclear imaging methods. These methods are capable clarifying molecular interactions important onset and progression disease, assessing relevance drug candidates potential agents, monitoring therapeutic effectiveness pharmaceuticals serially within a single-model system. Single-photon-emitting radionuclides have many advantages these applications, SPECT can provide 3-dimensional spatial distributions gamma- (and x-) ray-emitting radionuclide agents or therapeutics. Furthermore, combining with CT SPECT/CT system assist defining anatomic context biochemical improve quantitative accuracy data. Over past decade, dedicated systems been developed academia industry. Although significant progress this arena realized through application, further innovation continues address challenges camera sensitivity, resolution, image reconstruction quantification. innumerable applications development, cardiology, neurology, oncology stimulating investment education, research, modalities.