POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY IN NEUROLOGY - FUNDAMENTALS - QUESTIONS - INDICATIONS

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging technique by which the in-vivo distribution of indicator substances labelled with a positron emitting isotope (tracers) can be measured in the living body. The tomographic images obtained by PET have reached particular interest in neurology, since they provide quantitative information about the transport of substrates from blood into brain, the energy metabolism of the brain, and the presence of cerebral neurotransmitters and neuroreceptors. Furthermore, PET has been established as a tool for imaging human brain function. In clinical neurology, PET is complementary to diagnosis by adding functional information and improving the monitoring of therapeutic regimes.