Design Considerations of Small-Animal SPECT Cameras

摘要: Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a tomographic imaging modality based on the radiotracer principle [1]. It used to measure 3D distribution of radiolabelled molecules in vivo using very sensitive radiation detectors and mathematical image reconstruction algorithms. Although SPECT has been as clinical tool for several decades, it also well suited small animal models human disease, such laboratory mice rats, pre-clinical research. Because relatively long physical half-lives single emitters (Table 4.1), best study macromolecules, antibodies proteins, which have slow rates accrual at their target sites plasma clearance. Additionally, proteins are easily labelled with one radioisotopes iodine (125I, 123I or 131I), else by attaching chelating agent incorporating other common suitable properties, 99mTc 111In. Conversely, closely related technique positron (PET), discussed following chapter, synthetic drugs fast kinetics body. Thus, two techniques highly complementary research environment.