Positron Computed Tomography for Studies of Myocardial and Cerebral Function

doi:10.1059/0003-4819-98-3-339

Positron Computed Tomography for Studies of Myocardial and Cerebral Function

Los Angeles, California

Abstract

Positron computed tomography is a noninvasive medical imaging technique. Biologically active, radiolabeled compounds are administered intravenously to patients and the distribution of the radioactivity is quantitatively measured. By using appropriate mathematical models and labeled compounds, quantitative measurements of local metabolism, blood flow and volume, protein synthesis, transport, receptor binding, drug kinetics, and concentrations can be obtained noninvasively. This technique goes beyond medical imaging; it allows local analytic assays of biochemical reactions. In the heart, the technique measures local blood flow as well as myocardial free fatty acid and glucose metabolism, and can clinically evaluate patients with ischemic heart disease or cardiomyopathies. In the brain, positron computed tomography can be used to examine alterations in blood flow and metabolism including ischemia and degenerative disorders (Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease), cerebral tumors, and epilepsy. In normal persons, positron computed tomography shows cerebral activations resulting from physiologic stimulation (auditory and visual).

Article and Author Information

▸An edited transcription of an Interdepartmental Conference arranged by the Department of Medicine of the UCLA School of Medicine; Los Angeles, California.
▸Authors who wish to cite a section of this conference and specifically indicate its author can use this example for the form of the reference:

SCHELBERT HR. Blood flow and substrate use in normal and diseased myocardium, pp. 342-8. In: PHELPS ME, moderator. Positron computed tomography for studies of myocardial and cerebral function. Ann Intern Med. 1983;98:339-59.
Grant support: in part by contract #AM04-76-SF00012 from the Department of Energy; grants ROI-6M-248389 and POI-NS-15654 from the National Institutes of Health; and donations from the Will's Foundation, Houston, Texas; Fritts Family Foundation, Bakersfield, California; the Hereditary Disease Foundation, Los Angeles, California; and the Jennifer Jones-Simon Foundation, Pasadena, California. Dr. Mazziota is the recipient of Teacher-Investigator Award #1K07-0058801-NSBA from the National Insitute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke.
▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Michael E. Phelps, Ph.D.; Department of Radiological Sciences, Division of Biophysics, UCLA School of Medicine; Los Angeles, CA 90024.