The goal of this program is to establish and validate image-based methods that can provide the input function in these small animals, that in turn allows absolute biological quantitation with microPET studies. IN this application, a set of microPET studies will be performed with four commonly used microPET tracers (i.e., FDG, FLT, FHBG and N-13 ammonia) to provide data that are usable for validation of image-based input function derivation methods. A novel validation method thar does not require many serial blood samples to be taken from a single animal will be used for evaluation and validation of various input function derivation methods (including factor analysis, whole body modeling, standard shape, and blind deconvolution). Based on the microPET data collected in this study, investigation will also be performed to search for surrogate input functions for these common tracersto develop simple and practical quantitation procedures.

Results from the proposed study will enable microPET to provide quantitative and reliable biological functions in local tissue regions in mouse microPET studies that are essential for understanding and treatment of many disorders, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and for drug development. The full set of image data from microPET experiments will also be made availbale to the public on the internet for other investigators to evaluate and validate their new/favorable input function derivation methods.

Principle Investigator:
Huang, Sung-Cheng (Henry), DSc
Email: hhuang@mednet.ucla.edu
UCLA Dept of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology
Grant "Input Function for Quantitative Mouse MicroPET Studies"
(No. 1R01 EB001943-01)