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Biomedical subjects

M E Phelps

Publications and source records attributed to M E Phelps.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Tomographic measurement of local cerebral glucose metabolic rate in humans with (F-18)2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose: validation of method.

Tracer techniques and quantitative autoradiographic and tissue counting models for measurement of metabolic rates were combined with positron computed tomography (PCT) and (F-18)2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) for the measurement of local cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (LCMRGlc) in humans. A three-compartment model, which incorporates hydrolysis of FDG-6-PO4 to FDG, was developed for the measure of kinetic constants and calculation of LCMRGlc. Our model is an extension of that developed by Sokoloff et al. Although small, hydrolysis of FDG-6-PO4 was found to be significant. A PCT system, the ECAT, was used to determine the rate constants, lumped constant, and stability of the model in human beings. The data indicate that cerebral FDG-6-PO4 in humans increases for about 90 minutes, plateaus, and then slowly decreases. After 10 minutes, cerebral blood FDG activity levels were found to be a minor fraction of tissue activity. Precursor pool turnover rate, distribution volumes, and red blood cell-plasma concentration ratios were determined. Reproducibility (precision) of LCMRGlc measurements (approximate 2 cm2 regions) was +/- 5.5% over a 5-hour period. The replacement of arterial blood sampling with venous sampling was validated.

Animals↗

A theoretical study of quantitative flow measurements with constant infusion of short-lived isotopes.

Recent developments in the technique of constant infusion and in emission computed tomography have provided a new method for quantitative regional flow measurements. This paper re-examines critically the theoretical relationship between flow and radioactivity during constant infusion of short-lived isotopes. Sensitivity analysis is used to assess the accuracy of the method. Criteria for the selection of an appropriate half-life to meet accuracy requirements are also discussed. A method for the determination of the distribution volume of the tracer is proposed.

Blood Circulation↗

Quantitation in positron emission computed tomography: 1. Effect of object size.

The effect of object size on the capability of positron emission computed tomography to measure isotope concentrations in a cross section was studied. The relationship between the apparent isotope concentration in an image and the true concentration was measured as a function of object size for three instrument resolutions and four convolution filters. The relationship between image size and object size was also measured under the same conditions. Depression of apparent isotope concentration in an image for objects equal in size to the instrument resolution (FWHM) was significant (50% for a cylinder and 25% for a bar). For objects larger than 1.0 FWHM, accurate object sizes can be estimated from the images. Thus, reasonably accurate and practical schemes of compensation for object size effects can be implemented for objects larger than 1.0 FWHM. Accuracy in quantitating isotope concentrations in smaller objects is seriously compromised by the loss of sensitivity to the object size and the large correction factors required to compensate for instrument response. The results of the measurements were found to be in good agreement with theoretical predictions for ideal systems of comparable resolution.

Copper↗

Electrocardiographic gating in positron emission computed tomography.

Electrocardiographic (ECG) synchronized multiple gated data acquisition was employed with positron emission computed tomography (ECT) to obtain images of myocardial blood pool and myocardium. The feasibility and requirements of multiple gated data acquisition in positron ECT were investigated for 13NH3, (18F)-2-fluoro-2-D-deoxyglucose, and (11C)-carboxyhemoglobin. Examples are shown in which image detail is enhanced and image interpretation is facilitated when ECG gating is employed in the data collection. Analysis of count rate data from a series of volunteers indicates that multiple, statistically adequate images can be obtained under a multiple gated data collection format without an increase in administered dose.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗

Quantitation in positron emission computed tomography: 2. Effects of inaccurate attenuation correction.

Effects of inaccurate attenuation correction on quantitation in positron emission computed tomography were investigated by both computer simulation and theoretical analysis, followed by experimental verification with phantom measurements. It was found that, due to the finite width of detector responses, compensation of scan measurements by measured attenuation correction factors does not completely correct for attenuation. For FWHM greater than 1.8 cm, errors in object size and in activity levels of reconstructed images are more than 4%. Mismatches between true and assumed attenuation media are found to give large errors. These mismatches include object shift, incorrect size and shape, uniform and nonuniform mismatches in attenuation coefficients, and nonzero background levels. Errors as large as 14% in the reconstructed activity level can be introduced by a 5 mm shift in object position. A 5% error in the cylinder diameter can give differences between the total reconstructed activity and true value more than 12%. Strong image distortions, which could lead to incorrect interpretations of images are created by object shift and by nonuniform mismatches in attenuation coefficient. It was also found that statistical noise in measured attenuation correction factors can significantly increase noise levels in images, resulting in lower effective total counts for the emission scan. Effective total counts can be estimated as Neff = kNxmNem/(Nem + kNxm), where Nem and Nxm are total counts in emission and transmission scans, and k is a scanner dependent factor, which accounts for configuration differences.

Humans↗

Cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism in pseudotumor cerebri.

A comprehensive analysis of cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism was carried out in 14 patients with pseudotumor cerebri. Tracer techniques were employed to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) and vascular reactivity to acute changes in arterial carbon dioxide tension and blood pressure, cerebral blood volume (CBV), and the cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen and glucose. There was a small reduction (p less than 0.01) in CBF (44 +/- 7 ml/100 gm/min; normal, 54 +/- 9) with normal vascular reactivity; an increase (p less than 0.005) in CBV (4.8 +/- 0.8 ml/100 gm; normal, 3.6 +/- 0.5), and normal cerebral metabolism. We conclude that an abnormality of the cerebral microvasculature is responsible for an elevation in CBV, but the intracranial hypertension can be explained only by tissue swelling due to an increase in water content. The relationship between the vascular abnormality and the tissue swelling remains to be defined.

Adolescent↗

ECAT: a new computerized tomographic imaging system for positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals.

The ECAT was designed and developed as a positron imaging system capable of providing high contrast, high resolution, quantitative images in two-dimensional (2-D) and tomographic formats. The flexibility in its variety of imaging problems. High (HR), medium (MR), and low (LR) tomographic resolutions are 0.95 +/- 0.1, 1.3 +/- 0.1, and 1.7 +/- 0.1 cm FWHM; high, medium, and low resolutions in 2-D images are 0.85 +/- 0.1, 1.3 +/- 0.1 and 1.7 +/- 0.1, depending on resolution mode employed. ECT system efficiency is 30,100, 15,900, and 9,200 c/sec/muCi/cc with a 20-cm diameter phantom at LR, MR, and HR. Because of the geometric, detector, electronic and shielding design of the system, count-rate capability and linearity are high, with minimum detection of scattered radiation and random coincidence. Measured error agrees well with theoretical statistical predictions down to a level of 1.4% standard deviation. The redundant sampling scheme of this system significantly reduces errors caused by motion and detector instability. Scan times are variable from 10 sec to several min/slice and multiple levels are automatically performed by computer control of patient bed. A variety of human studies illustrate image quality, resolution, and efficiency of both ECT and 2-D imaging mode. Examples of the noninvasive study method have been made possible through development of ECT.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Transaxial tomographic imaging of canine myocardium with 11C-palmitic acid.

Radiopharmaceuticals incorporated directly into the metabolic pathways in myocardium provide a useful means for evaluating such processes. Palmitic acid, a major physiologic substrate of myocardium, has a well-understood role in myocardial metabolism. Accordingly, 11C-palmitic acid was the substrate chosen for use in conjunction with positron emission transaxial tomography to obtain images of canine myocardium. This procedure provides high-contrast images of tranverse sections of the myocardium, with good target-to-nontarget ratios (in the image), over a period of 5 to 85 minutes. Clearance half-times for blood and myocardial tissue were found to be 4.8 and 330 min, respectively. In normal myocardium, images obtained with 11C-palmitic acid were those obtained with 13NH3 and 11CO-hemoglobin. In vivo images of hearts with myocardial infarcts showed a clear delineration of infarcts and normal tissue.

Ammonia↗