Feasibility of molecular imaging for cerebrovascular disease and its clinical application

Abstract

Molecular imaging is a useful method for diagnosis of cerebral ischemic diseases as well as evaluation and monitoring of the effects of various treatments. Cu (II)-diacetyl-bis (N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (Cu-ATSM) is a promising tracer for hypoxic imaging, which is considered to represent mitochondrial deficiency in cerebral infarction. Imaging of microglial activation using ligands for peripheral benzodiazepine receptors would be useful for evaluation of self-restoration function toward degeneration or impairment caused by cerebral infarction or other brain damages. Molecular imaging technique with PET would be able to utilize for monitoring and follow-up of various treatments such as gene therapy and transplantation.