{"id":4484,"date":"2024-11-11T12:46:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T11:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/TechTransfer\/portfolio_page\/method-for-measuring-tracer-uptake-in-brain-tissue-using-pet-image-analysis\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T10:57:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T09:57:24","slug":"method-for-measuring-tracer-uptake-in-brain-tissue-using-pet-image-analysis","status":"publish","type":"portfolio_page","link":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/TechTransfer\/en\/portfolio_page\/method-for-measuring-tracer-uptake-in-brain-tissue-using-pet-image-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Method for measuring tracer uptake in brain tissue using PET image analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_raw_html]W3dwc2VvX2JyZWFkY3J1bWJd[\/vc_raw_html][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Method for measuring tracer uptake in brain tissue using PET image analysis<\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The invention consists of a method for analyzing brain images acquired using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The PET acquisition procedure required for the invention involves acquiring a first static brain PET scan of short duration, between 1 and 8 minutes after administration of the tracer, and a second static brain PET scan approximately 50-70 minutes after administration.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”4486″ img_size=”full” qode_css_animation=””][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

How does it work?<\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The method is applicable to brain PET scans acquired with non-receptor tracers in general, also known as \u201cflow tracers,\u201d in particular fluorinated tracers selective for amyloid protein.<\/p>\n

The first scan is performed by positioning the patient in the scanner before injecting the tracer. A scan lasting 0-10 minutes is then performed starting from the complete injection of the tracer (called early). The patient is then removed from the scanner and taken to a suitable waiting room nearby. Approximately 50-70 minutes after the injection (the exact time depends on the tracer), the patient is placed back in the scanner for a second scan (called late) lasting approximately 20 minutes (the duration also depends on the tracer). <\/p>\n

The analysis method (b) comprises the following steps:<\/p>\n

1) have two static brain PET images acquired on an individual between 0 and 10 minutes and approximately 50 minutes after administration of a non-receptor tracer;<\/p>\n

2) spatially normalize the first and second images (typically, the early image is used as the \u201cmoving image\u201d and the late image as the \u201cfixed image\u201d);<\/p>\n

3) Preselect a region of interest (brain ROI) that includes the brain parenchyma and excludes the theca, ventricles, cerebellum, and brainstem.<\/p>\n

4) select a region corresponding to the 85th percentile of intensities (ROI 1) in the first (early) PET image;<\/p>\n

5) select a region corresponding to the 95th percentile of intensities (ROI 2) in the second (delayed) PET image;<\/p>\n

6) calculate the average of the counts <I_roi1> e <I_roi2> respectively in ROI 1 and ROI 2on late scanning;<\/p>\n

7) calculate the ratio of average intensities according to the equation TDr = <I_roi1> \/ <I_roi2>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Applications<\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Clinical evaluation of brain PET with tracer.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Advantages<\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n