QModeling: a Multiplatform, Easy-to-Use and Open-Source Toolbox for PET Kinetic Analysis

Abstract

Kinetic modeling is at the basis of most quantification methods for dynamic PET data. Specific software is required for it, and a free and easy-to-use kinetic analysis toolbox can facilitate routine work for clinical research. The relevance of kinetic modeling for neuroimaging encourages its incorporation into image processing pipelines like those of SPM, also providing preprocessing flexibility to match the needs of users. The aim of this work was to develop such a toolbox: QModeling. It implements four widely-used reference-region models: Simplified Reference Tissue Model (SRTM), Simplified Reference Tissue Model 2 (SRTM2), Patlak Reference and Logan Reference. A preliminary validation was also performed: The obtained parameters were compared with the gold standard provided by PMOD, the most commonly-used software in this field. Execution speed was also compared, for time-activity curve (TAC) estimation, model fitting and image generation. QModeling has a simple interface, which guides the user through the analysis: Loading data, obtaining TACs, preprocessing the model for pre-evaluation, generating parametric images and visualizing them. Relative differences between QModeling and PMOD in the parameter values are almost always below 10. The SRTM2 algorithm yields relative differences from 10 to 10 when [Formula: see text] is not fixed, since different, validated methods are used to fit this parameter. The new toolbox works efficiently, with execution times of the same order as those of PMOD. Therefore, QModeling allows applying reference-region models with reliable results in efficient computation times. It is free, flexible, multiplatform, easy-to-use and open-source, and it can be easily expanded with new models.

68Ga-NOTA PET imaging for gastric emptying assessment in mice

“…However, its operating and economic costs are high, especially for research institutions outside of hospitals and which focus on animal experiments. Several studies are devoted to developing quantitative tools that are easier to operate and comparable to PMOD [44][45][46]. The economic cost of ROI-based analysis is low, and its operation is simple.…”

Frontostriatothalamic effective connectivity and dopaminergic function in the psychosis continuum

“… 58 The final reconstructed dynamic PET images were registered to the corresponding T 1 Magnetization-Prepared Rapid Gradient-Echo Imaging MRI image. Patlak graphical analysis 59 was performed using Qmodeling software 60 to quantify 18 F-DOPA influx rate constants ( values) for dorsal and ventral striatal regions of interest (ROIs) 61 ( Supplementary Fig. 1 ) relative to the cerebellum 62 in each participant’s anatomical space.…”

Combining CRISPR/Cas9 and brain imaging: from genes to molecules to networks

“…Data preprocessing analysis was performed with Matlab (Mathworks, Natick, MA, USA), Statistical Parametric Mapping 12 (SPM12, Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College London, England), and the QModeling toolbox [112]. First, realignment of all frames was performed using SPM12 and average images were generated for every scan.…”

“…In Supplementary Tables 9 and 10, injected activity (MBq/kg) and molar activity (GBq/µmol) at the time of injection are reported for each radioligand. The list-mode data from the dynamic acquisitions of [ 11 College London, England), and the QModeling toolbox [112]. First, realignment of all frames was performed using SPM12 and average images were generated for every scan.…”