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脑SPECT系统， 由优异的能量分辨率证实的独特的高光谱成像能力（例如，140时<2.5 keV 5 keV和<3.5keV在250 keV），并在同一时间提供1- mm的空间分辨率和非常高的灵敏度，以允许详细可视化多示踪剂摄取， 不同的大脑区域该设备可能会对大脑研究产生变革性的影响， 用于在各种实验条件下对大脑功能进行显微镜下的多功能评估。 这项拟议的研究项目将整合颠覆性的高性能3D CZT成像光谱仪 技术与一个新的合成复眼（SCE）相机设计，以及创新的迭代 使用基于深度学习的先验的图像重建方法，以开发下一代临床大脑 SPECT成像系统具有以前无法达到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的成像系统应用于人脑SPECT研究， 收集各种SPECT放射性示踪剂，并开发和推进生理参数成像 方法，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 氧合、神经元细胞代谢和不同认知挑战下的脑细胞追踪， 健康和疾病中的生物物理条件。我们设想拟议的系统将作为一个 独特的成像平台，以显着推进我们对神经细胞生物学和区域性的理解， 大脑功能，以应对各种认知，行为和生理挑战，通过采用这些 前所未有的创新SPECT成像方法，以评估所有相关的定量 将以综合方式和协同方式解释生理测量结果， 大脑研究中以前无法实现的前景可以制定。

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.