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Semin Neurol 2012; 32(04): 421-431
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1331813
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Positron Emission Tomography Applications in Clinical Neurology

Tarun Singhal
1   Division of General Neurology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 January 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a molecular imaging technique for developing maps of functional and biochemical activity in target tissues in vivo. PET has led to significant insights into nervous system biology, physiology, and pathophysiology in health and disease. Several of these insights and applications have a direct usefulness for the clinical neurologist. Although [F-18]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-) PET has remained a workhorse of PET imaging, many other radiolabeled biomolecules have been studied using PET. This article aims to provide an overview of current clinical usefulness of PET across the neurologic subspecialties including dementias, movement disorders, epilepsy, brain tumors, and neurologic infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Keywords

positron emission tomography (PET) - neurology - dementia - movement disorders - epilepsy - brain tumors
 

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