RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Positron Emission Tomography in Schizophrenia: A New Perspective
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine
JO J Nucl Med
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 511
OP 520
DO 10.2967/jnumed.109.066076
VO 51
IS 4
A1 Neva H. Patel
A1 Nora S. Vyas
A1 Basant K. Puri
A1 Kuldip S. Nijran
A1 Adil Al-Nahhas
YR 2010
UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/51/4/511.abstract
AB PET is an important functional imaging technique that can be used to investigate neurotransmitter receptors and transporters directly by mapping human brain function. PET is increasingly being used greatly to advance our understanding of the neurobiology and pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Methods: This review focuses on the use of PET tracers and kinetic modeling in identifying regional brain abnormalities and regions associated with cognitive functioning in schizophrenia. A variety of PET tracers have been used to identify brain abnormalities, including 11C, 15O-water, 18F-fallypride, and l-3,4-dihydroxy-6-18F-fluorophenylalanine (18F-FDOPA). Results: Some studies have used compartmental modeling to determine tracer binding kinetics. The most consistent findings show a difference in the dopamine content in the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate gyrus, and hippocampus between healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia. Studies also show a higher density of D2 receptors in the striatum and neural brain dysconnectivity. Conclusion: Future investigations integrating clinical, imaging, genetic, and cognitive aspects are warranted to gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of this disorder.