POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY IN NEUROLOGY - FUNDAMENTALS - QUESTIONS - INDICATIONS

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging technique by which th e in-vivo distribution of indicator substances labelled with a positro n emitting isotope (tracers) can be measured in the living body. The t omographic images obtained by PET have reached particular interest in neurology, since they provide quantitative information about the trans port of substrates from blood into brain, the energy metabolism of the brain, and the presence of cerebral neurotransmitters and neurorecept ors. Furthermore, PET has been established as a tool for imaging human brain function. In clinical neurology, PET is complementary to diagno sis by adding functional information and improving the monitoring of t herapeutic regimes.