Quantitative high resolution in-vivo multi-modality medical imaging techniques

目标. 开发定量成像技术，最好地利用互补的体内医学成像方法之间的协同作用，主要应用于脑功能的研究。背景体内成像模式，如正电子发射断层扫描（PET），单光子发射断层扫描（SPECT）和磁共振成像（MRI），探索生物功能和结构的互补优势。PET和SPECT通过使用放射性生物相关化合物来探索生物化学的功能方面。相比之下，MRI提供了极好的解剖信息，可用于研究组织连接和功能行为。由于认识到疾病影响人体功能的许多方面，现在正在开发能够同时利用至少两种模态进行数据采集的混合成像仪器。 因此，必须开发新的成像和数据分析算法，以最好地利用成像模式之间的协同作用。建议的研究具体的短期目标是：（1）开发数据分析方法，以便从相同受试者的PET和MRI中提取新信息;（2）开发能够轻松解释运动的新图像重建;（3）临床前混合PET/SPECT VECTor扫描仪混合成像定量方面的表征和开发，以及（4）这些新技术在啮齿动物试验研究中的应用。新奇和意义。虽然单独的成像模式已经成熟了几十年，但混合多模态成像是一种相对新颖的方法，仍然需要做很多工作来了解和优化其潜力。这项研究的成果将有助于实现无缝集成多种成像模式的长期目标，开发出非常适合解决人类功能复杂性的复杂成像方法，并改善早期疾病检测，从而最终影响医疗保健和生活质量。

OBJECTIVES. To develop quantitative imaging techniques, that best exploit synergies between complementary in-vivo medical imaging methods as primarily applied to the study of brain function.**BACKGROUND. In-vivo imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission tomography(SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) explore biological functions and structure with complementary strengths. PET and SPECT explore functional aspects of biochemistry by using radioactive biologically relevant compounds. In contrast, MRI provides excellent anatomical information and can be used to investigate tissue connectivity and functional behavior. Hybrid imaging instrumentation capable of simultaneous data acquisition with at least two modalities is now being developed in recognition of the fact that disease affects many aspect of human function. It is thus essential to develop novel imaging and data analysis algorithms to best exploit the synergy between the imaging modalities.**PROPOSED RESEARCH PROGRAM. The specific short term aims are (i) development of data analysis methods that allow to extract novel information from PET and MRI from the same subjects; (2) development of novel image reconstruction that can easily account for motion; (3) characterization and development of the quantitative aspects of hybrid imaging with the preclinical hybrid PET/SPECT VECTor scanner and (4) application of these novel techniques to pilot rodent studies.**NOVELTY AND SIGNIFICANCE. While individual imaging modalities have been maturing for decades, hybrid multi-modality imaging is a relatively novel approach and much still needs to be done to understand and optimize its potential. The outcome of this research will contribute to the long term goal of seamlessly integrating several imaging modalities with development of sophisticated imaging approaches well suited to address the complexity of human function and improve early disease detection thus ultimately impacting health care and quality of life.****************************************