Positron emission tomography in neurological and psychiatric disorders

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) has been widely used in the study of neurological and psychiatric disorders. It has been used most extensively in research to determine pathophysiology as well as prognostic and diagnostic information and response to various interventions in different disorders. PET imaging has also been used in the clinical setting, although its use has been primarily to help differentiate or diagnose specific disorders. With the continued development of a large array of radiopharmaceuticals that can evaluate all the components of different neurotransmitter systems (such as serotonin and dopamine), PET imaging will continue to play a key role in research and clinical applications for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Cerebral metabolism in major depressive disorder: a voxel-based meta-analysis of positron emission tomography studies

“…Insula, limbic system, basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellar activity changes are also found in other mental illness [15,41-43]. Several limitations need to be considered in the interpretation of our results.…”

“…Although meta-analysis results across studies can help us to identify consistent findings in the literature, they may lack specificity as to the nature of any abnormality described. Insula, limbic system, basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellar activity changes are also found in other mental illness [ 15 , 41 - 43 ]. Several limitations need to be considered in the interpretation of our results.…”

Comparison of EEG microstates with resting state fMRI and FDG‐PET measures in the default mode network via simultaneously recorded trimodal (PET/MR/EEG) data

“…Another important finding in this study is the fact that the FDG‐PET SUV measure, which was obtained from simultaneously recorded trimodal data, also shows a trend of inverse relationship with the neuroelectric measure, microstate. Previous studies using FDG‐PET have shown alterations in cerebral glucose metabolism in disorders such as schizophrenia (Kim et al, 2017; Seethalakshmi et al, 2006), dementia (Mosconi et al, 2009; Shivamurthy, Tahari, Marcus, & Subramaniam, 2015) and in other psychiatric disorders (Newberg, Alavi, & Reivich, 2002; Newberg, Monti, Moss, & Alavi, 2012). Even though the FDG‐PET measure is performed via a minimally invasive procedure, obtaining such a neurometabolic measure along with other modalities will improve diagnostic accuracy and may also help in early diagnosis (Polikar et al, 2010).…”

Cerebral metabolism in major depressive disorder: a voxel-based meta-analysis of positron emission tomography studies

“…Although meta-analysis results across studies can help us to identify consistent findings in the literature, they may lack specificity as to the nature of any abnormality described. Insula, limbic system, basal ganglia, thalamus, and cerebellar activity changes are also found in other mental illness [15,[41][42][43]. Several limitations need to be considered in the interpretation of our results.…”