Hybrid PET-MRI in Alzheimer's Disease Research

Methods Mol Biol. 2018:1750:185-200. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7704-8_12.

Abstract

Multiple factors, namely amyloid, tau, inflammation, metabolic, and perfusion changes, contribute to the cascade of neurodegeneration and functional decline occurring in Alzheimer's disease (AD). These molecular and cellular processes and related functional and morphological changes can be visualized in vivo by two imaging modalities, namely positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These imaging biomarkers are now part of the diagnostic algorithm and of particular interest for patient stratification and targeted drug development.In this field the availability of hybrid PET/MR systems not only offers a comprehensive evaluation in a single imaging session, but also opens new possibilities for the integration of the two imaging information. Here, we cover the clinical protocols and practical details of FDG, amyloid, and tau PET/MR imaging as applied in our institutions.

Keywords: Amyloid; FDG; Hybrid imaging; PET-MRI; Tau; fMRI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / metabolism

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18