Brain imaging – From molecular imaging to connectivity by ultra-high field (7.0T) PET-MRI

International Conference on Medical Physics

August 03-05, 2015 Birmingham, UK

Zang-Hee Cho

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Nucl Med Radiat Ther

Abstract :

New imaging system, the Brain dedicated PET-MRI, using High resolution PET and Ultra High Field 7.0T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and their applications to Brain Research, especially to the areas of neuropsychiatry, neurosurgery and neuroscience will be discussed. Among the interesting topical areas, applications of the high resolution brain PET (HRRT) and the ultra high field MRI (7.0T) will be highlighted. Especially for the in-vivo Human brain imaging with ultra-high field MRI, such as the 7.0T MRI, one can now visualize the substructures of the thalamus and brainstem in-vivo as well as tractography hitherto unable to do with existing MRI systems. Together with molecular imaging using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) that is the brain dedicated PET-MRI fusion system developed recently, now, it is possible to visualize molecular mechanisms quantitatively in our human brain in-vivo as well as their connectivity. Lastly, Ultra-high field MRI also began to provide excellent tractographic images delinealing fine fibers such as medial forebrain bundles and internal medullary laminars in the thalamo-limbic areas suggesting future potential applications of these fibers to, among others, such as the DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation). Some recent results of brain PET-MRI fusion system as well as the new tractographic images obtained with 7.0T will be discussed and highlighted.