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Positron Emission Tomography and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography

Methods and Applications in Substance Abuse Research

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Brain Imaging in Substance Abuse

Part of the book series: Forensic Science and Medicine ((FSM))

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Abstract

Advances in noninvasive neuroimaging methods have created unprecedented inroads into the study of central nervous system (CNS) function in vivo. In particular, positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) offer numerous opportunities to advance the field of substance abuse research. Clinical cousins to more basic science techniques (e.g., homogenate receptor binding, in vitro autoradiography, and radioimmunoassay), PET and SPECT permit measurements of local neuronal activity, neurochemistry, and pharmacology in the living human brain. The power of such methods, however, comes at the cost of considerable technological complexities that may hinder their appropriate application and interpretation. This chapter summarizes underlying principles, basic limitations, and varied applications of PET and SPECT as they apply to the field of substance abuse research.

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  1. Robert T. Malison MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, and Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA

    Marc J. Kaufman PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Associate Research Pharmacologist) (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Associate Research Pharmacologist)

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© 2001 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, New Jersey

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Malison, R.T. (2001). Positron Emission Tomography and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography. In: Kaufman, M.J. (eds) Brain Imaging in Substance Abuse. Forensic Science and Medicine. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-021-6_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-021-6_2

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61737-180-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-021-6

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