Evaluation of dopamine transporter density in healthy Brazilians using Tc-99m TRODAT-1 SPECT.

The presynaptic dopamine transporter (DAT) modulates the uptake of dopamine by regulating its concentration in the central nervous system. We aimed to evaluate the DAT binding potential (DAT-BP) in a sample of healthy Brazilians through technetium-99 metastable TRODAT-1 single-photon emission computed tomography imaging.We selected 126 healthy individuals comprising 72 men and 54 women, aged 18 to 80 years.

Case 241: Hemiparkinsonism- Hemiatrophy-SPECT with Tc TRODAT-1 and Muscle MR Imaging Abnormalities.

History A 43-year-old right-handed man presented with a history of progressive mild left-sided weakness and slowness of movements. Symptoms began 4 years earlier, and the patient noticed a progressive decline in his daily routine due to gait difficulties in the past year. There was no history of head trauma, surgery, drug therapy, smoking, or alcohol abuse, nor was there any relevant family history.

Preclinical molecular imaging: development of instrumentation for translational research with small laboratory animals.

Objective:: To present the result of upgrading a clinical gamma-camera to be used to obtain in vivo tomographic images of small animal organs, and its application to register cardiac, renal and neurological images.

Methods:: An updated version of the miniSPECT upgrading device was built, which is composed of mechanical, electronic and software subsystems. The device was attached to a Discovery VH (General Electric Healthcare) gamma-camera, which was retired from the clinical service and installed at the Centro de Imagem Pré-Clínica of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein.

SPEM: a state-of-the-art instrument for high resolution molecular imaging of small animal organs.

Objective: To describe the Single Photon Emission Microscope (SPEM), a state-of-the-art instrument for small animal SPECT imaging, and characterize its performance presenting typical images of different animal organs.

Methods: SPEM consists of two independent imaging devices based on high resolution scintillators, high sensitivity and resolution Electron-Multiplying CCDs and multi-pinhole collimators. During image acquisition, the mouse is placed in a rotational vertical holder between the imaging devices.