PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are now available for routine clinical applications in neurology. This article discusses their diagnostic use in dementia, brain tumors, epilepsy, parkinsonism, cerebrovascular disease, and traumatic brain injury. RECENT FINDINGS: Neuromolecular imaging, also known as nuclear neurology, involves clinical imaging of both basal regional physiology (perfusion, metabolism, and transport mechanisms) and specific neurochemical physiology (currently, only the dopamine transporter). This article serves as an introduction to neuromolecular imaging, reviewing the literature supplemented by the author's experience. SUMMARY: Neurologic PET and SPECT are no longer restricted to the research realm. These modalities have high diagnostic accuracy.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are now available for routine clinical applications in neurology. This article discusses their diagnostic use in dementia, brain tumors, epilepsy, parkinsonism, cerebrovascular disease, and traumatic brain injury. RECENT FINDINGS: Neuromolecular imaging, also known as nuclear neurology, involves clinical imaging of both basal regional physiology (perfusion, metabolism, and transport mechanisms) and specific neurochemical physiology (currently, only the dopamine transporter). This article serves as an introduction to neuromolecular imaging, reviewing the literature supplemented by the author's experience. SUMMARY: Neurologic PET and SPECT are no longer restricted to the research realm. These modalities have high diagnostic accuracy.
Authors: Sarah M Brooker; Chandrakanth Reddy Edamakanti; Sara M Akasha; Sheng-Han Kuo; Puneet Opal Journal: Ann Clin Transl Neurol Date: 2021-05-21 Impact factor: 4.511