1 mm resolution single-photon spectral imaging of the brain

摘要： 在这个拟议的研究项目中，我们寻求开发一种先进的大脑 SPECT 系统，该系统提供 独特的高光谱成像能力由出色的能量分辨率证实（例如，140°C 时 <2.5 keV） keV 和 <3.5 keV (250 keV) 在很宽的能量范围 (25-600 keV) 内，同时提供 1- 毫米的空间分辨率和非常高的灵敏度，可以详细可视化多示踪剂的吸收 各个大脑区域。该设备可能会对大脑研究产生变革性影响，因为它允许 用于在各种实验条件下对大脑功能进行微观、多功能评估。 该拟议研究项目将集成颠覆性的高性能 3D CZT 成像光谱仪 具有新颖的合成复眼（SCE）相机设计以及创新迭代的技术 使用基于深度学习的先验的图像重建方法，开发下一代临床大脑 SPECT 成像系统具有前所未有的变革性空间分辨率和成像灵敏度。 长期目标是将这种创新成像系统应用到人脑 SPECT 研究中，使用 收集各种 SPECT 放射性示踪剂，开发和推进生理参数成像 方法论，以研究神经生物学中长期存在的问题并提高我们的 了解脑血流和灌注、脑组织之间的相互作用和关系 不同认知挑战下的氧合、神经元细胞代谢和脑细胞追踪 健康和疾病时的生物物理条件。我们设想拟议的系统将作为 独特的成像平台可显着增进我们对神经细胞生物学和区域性的理解 大脑通过使用这些功能来应对各种认知、行为和生理挑战 前所未有的创新 SPECT 成像方法，以评估所有相关的定量 生理测量将以综合方式和协同方式进行解释，以便新的 以前无法实现的大脑研究观点可以得到阐述。

Abstract: In this proposed research project, we seek to develop an advanced brain SPECT system that offers a unique hyperspectral imaging capability substantiated by an excellent energy resolution (e.g., <2.5 keV at 140 keV and <3.5 keV at 250 keV) across a wide energy range (25-600 keV), and at the same time deliver a 1- mm spatial resolution and a very high sensitivity to allow detailed visualization of multi-tracer uptakes in various brain regions. This device could potentially have a transformative impact on brain research by allowing for microscopic, multi-functional assessment of brain functions under various experimental conditions. This proposed research project will integrate the disruptive high-performance 3D CZT imaging-spectrometer technologies with a novel synthetic compound eye (SCE) camera design, as well as an innovative iterative image reconstruction method using deep-learning based priors, to develop a next-generation clinical brain SPECT imaging system with transformative spatial resolution and imaging sensitivity unattainable previously. The long-term objective is to apply this innovative imaging system to human brain SPECT studies using a collection of various SPECT radiotracers, and develop and advance physiological parametric imaging methodologies, in order to investigate the long-standing issues in neurobiology and improve our understanding of the interplay and relationship among cerebral blood flow and perfusion, brain tissue oxygenation, neuronal cell metabolism, and brain cell tracking under different cognitive challenges and biophysical conditions in healthy and in disease. We would envision the proposed system to serve as a unique imaging platform to significantly advance our understanding of neural cell biology and regional brain functions in response to various cognitive, behavioral, and physiological challenges by employing these unprecedentedly innovative SPECT imaging methodologies in order to assess all relevant quantitative physiological measurements that will be interpreted in an integrated fashion and synergistically so that new perspectives in brain research unattainable previously can be formulated.