K. Herholz – författare

Positron emission tomography (PET) provides unbiased in vivo measurement of local tracer activity at very high sensitivity. This is a unique property unmatched by other imaging modalities. When PETwas introduced into medicine more than 25years ago, the first organ of major interest was the brain. Since then, PET has flourished as an extremely powerful and versatile tool in scientific brain studies, whereas its use as a diagnostic tool in clinical neurology remains limited. This is in contrast to its use in otherapplications,particularlyoncology,where its value in clinical diagnosis is more widely appreciated. Wethink this situation is unfortu­ nate, because PET can contribute more to clinical neurology and clinical neuro­ science than is generally perceived today. Realization of its potential will require very close cooperation between PETexperts and clinicians and the integration of PET into clinical studies. Thus, in this book we review PETin neuroscience,with particular emphasis on findings that indicate its potential for improving diagno­ sis and treatment in neurology and psychiatry. We want to improve the trans­ ferability of the enormous scientific advances in brain PET into clinical care so as to produce tangible human benefit [1]. Wewish to guide both nuclear medicine specialists and also neurologists and psychiatrists in the use of PET. We there­ fore focus on practical and potentially clinically relevant issues, identifying solid ground as well as open questions that require further research, and we see this targeted presentation as complementary to more general PET textbooks and reviews.

Positron emission tomography (PET) provides unbiased in vivo measurement of local tracer activity at very high sensitivity. This is a unique property unmatched by other imaging modalities. When PETwas introduced into medicine more than 25years ago, the first organ of major interest was the brain. Since then, PET has flourished as an extremely powerful and versatile tool in scientific brain studies, whereas its use as a diagnostic tool in clinical neurology remains limited. This is in contrast to its use in otherapplications,particularlyoncology,where its value in clinical diagnosis is more widely appreciated. Wethink this situation is unfortu­ nate, because PET can contribute more to clinical neurology and clinical neuro­ science than is generally perceived today. Realization of its potential will require very close cooperation between PETexperts and clinicians and the integration of PET into clinical studies. Thus, in this book we review PETin neuroscience,with particular emphasis on findings that indicate its potential for improving diagno­ sis and treatment in neurology and psychiatry. We want to improve the trans­ ferability of the enormous scientific advances in brain PET into clinical care so as to produce tangible human benefit [1]. Wewish to guide both nuclear medicine specialists and also neurologists and psychiatrists in the use of PET. We there­ fore focus on practical and potentially clinically relevant issues, identifying solid ground as well as open questions that require further research, and we see this targeted presentation as complementary to more general PET textbooks and reviews.

Positron emission tomography (PET) provides unbiased in vivo measurement of local tracer activity at very high sensitivity. This is a unique property unmatched by other imaging modalities. When PETwas introduced into medicine more than 25years ago, the first organ of major interest was the brain. Since then, PET has flourished as an extremely powerful and versatile tool in scientific brain studies, whereas its use as a diagnostic tool in clinical neurology remains limited. This is in contrast to its use in otherapplications,particularlyoncology,where its value in clinical diagnosis is more widely appreciated. Wethink this situation is unfortu­ nate, because PET can contribute more to clinical neurology and clinical neuro­ science than is generally perceived today. Realization of its potential will require very close cooperation between PETexperts and clinicians and the integration of PET into clinical studies. Thus, in this book we review PETin neuroscience,with particular emphasis on findings that indicate its potential for improving diagno­ sis and treatment in neurology and psychiatry. We want to improve the trans­ ferability of the enormous scientific advances in brain PET into clinical care so as to produce tangible human benefit [1]. Wewish to guide both nuclear medicine specialists and also neurologists and psychiatrists in the use of PET. We there­ fore focus on practical and potentially clinically relevant issues, identifying solid ground as well as open questions that require further research, and we see this targeted presentation as complementary to more general PET textbooks and reviews.

Der hier vorgelegte Atlas der Positronen-Emis- This atlas of positron emISSIOn tomography sions-Tomographie (PET) des Gehirns solI an- (PET) of the brain, with its many illustrations, hand von Bildbeispielen einen Uberblick tiber die is designed to give an overall impression of the Leistungsfahigkeit dieser aufwendigen Technik efficiency of this method in demonstrating physi- ologic and pathologic changes in the central ner- bei der Darstellung von physiologischen und vous system. In view of the rapid and multifa- pathologischen Veranderungen im Zentralner- vensystem vermitteln. Wegen der raschen und ceted development of PET, it seemed unrealistic vielseitigen Entwicklung der PET muBte von to attempt a comprehensive review of all the ap- vornherein auf Vollstandigkeit der Darstellung plications still in developmental or even in experi- aller in Entwicklung oder erster Erprobung be- mental stages. Attention has therefore been fo- findlicher Anwendungen verzichtet werden.Es cused on those methods which are already in rela- wurde daher ein Schwerpunkt auf die Methoden tively widespread clinical use and which are pro- gesetzt, die schon breiter klinisch angewandt wer- viding relevant findings on the pathogenesis and den und relevante Befunde tiber Pathogenese und development of diseases of the brain. Investiga- 15 Verlauf von Erkrankungen des Gehirns liefern.

The series of workshops sponsored by the European Communities started with "Methodology of PET" at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in March 1984. This was followed by "Radiochemistry, Methodology and Standardization in PET" at the Service Hospitalier Frederic Joliot in Orsay, France, in March 1985. Both these meetings were, in the opinion of all participants, great successes, and it was agreed that such work­ shops should continue and be organized on the same basis. After these two workshops on the fundamentals of PET, time now is ripe to evaluate the clinical efficacy of PET investigations, and to discuss to what extend the information provided by this high technology and theoretical area has contributed to the understanding of disease mechanisms, leading to immediate clinical applications. As pointed out in the previous meetings, PET using short-lived radioisotopes produced in an on-line cyclotron is restricted to a few centers. Therefore, the topics studied so far were mainly of scientific interest and clinical problems were dealt with only marginally. Before this costly technique can be spread and new information made accessible to a broader clinical clientele, its clinical value must be demonstrat­ ed. So far, in the majority of studies, the central nervous system was the primary target organ, and PET has contributed a great deal to our understanding of brain physiology and pathology. Also on the heart, a substantial number of studies have been performed in various centers, but the application of PET to this organ is still somewhat limited.