抄録
With rapid growth in molecular biology, imaging in the molecular function in vivo has become popular. Among these technologies, positron emission tomography (PET) has unique characters for in-vivo imaging of various cellular and molecular functions using variety of suitable radiolabeled pharmaceuticals. In addition, PET permits quantitative analysis of tissue functions, such as regional perfusion metabolic rate of energy substrates, and receptor density.In the brain study, PET enables quantitative assessment of regional cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, and metabolic rate of oxygen. These parameters are quite valuable in the detection of misery perfusion and luxury perfusion in the acute as well as subacute stage of cerebral stroke. PET also permits assessment of glucose utilization and various neuroreceptor functions. These new information has a potential to play key roles for providing new insights into pathophysiology in various neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, this may he helpful to find the best strategy for medications.In the cardiac study, PET enables quantitative assessment of regional myocardial blood flow, flow reserve and endothelial function. These parameters may be valuable for risk assessment of coronary artery disease, and also for assessing treatment effects. In addition, metabolic analysis of glucose and oxygen consumption may hold a key role for identifying severity of coronary artery disease.This elegant tool is expected to play an important role for variety of physiological and pathophysiological studies in the near future. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S3 (2004)]
