Radiotracers, molecular imaging

Postmortem studies show a correlation between PD and DAT concentrations in the striatum (Niznik et al., 1991). Molecular imaging techniques have been used to determine DAT levels using DAT radiotracers such as 2P-carbomethoxy-3 -(4-iodophenyl) tropane ([ I] P-CTT) and [ C] cocaine (Shih et al., 2006). These techniques are useful for the evaluation and diagnosis of patients with PD and to monitor the progression of the disease (Shih et al., 2006). The delivery of DA to surviving nerve terminals by treatment with l-DOPA helps alleviate some of the early symptoms of PD (Nutt, 2002). Unfortunately, the ameliorating effects of... 

Nuclear imaging can be considered as a pure molecular imaging technique, since it can directly detect the molecules in which the radionuclides have been embedded. These compounds are called radiopharmaceuticals or radiotracers . Typical radionuclides for SPECT imaging are Tc, In, M, and Ga. Be-... 

Radioactive atoms that emit high-energy particles or photons let us keep track of molecules as they take part in chemical reactions. He called these molecules radioindicators. Today we call them radioactive tracers, or radiotracers. The tracer principle became the foundation of a new medical specialty, called atomic medicine, later being called nuclear medicine, and today called molecular imaging. 

In Molecular Imaging (MI) with radiotracers, molecules labeled with radioactive atoms, which undergo the process of radioactive decay are localized and quantified to produce what are cedled molecular images. According to the tracer principle, these molecules are often identical to a natural substance within the body, such as glucose. 

The fluoro- and fluoroallq l-substituted thiazoles and thdr derivatives can be used as potent agents in the various fields of medicine, biology, and agriculture. Thus, the [ T1 2-fluoro-l,3-thiazolyl moiety constitutes a new and easily-labeled structural motif for prospective molecular imaging radiotracers [86]. This novel F-labeled thiazole... 

Simeon FG, Wendahl MT, Pike VW (2010)The [ F]2-fluoro-13-thiazolyl moiety-an easily-accessible structural motif for prospective molecular imaging radiotracers. Tetrahedron Lett 51 6034-6036... 

SPECT uses radiotracers that emit single photons rather than positrons. Their distribution in the brain is measured by a ring of radiation detectors surrounding the patient s head, as is the case in PET imaging. SPECT can measure regional brain blood flow to reflect increased neuronal activity. PET and SPECT can image regional molecular processes, for example, the location and availability of neuroreceptors. 

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