Euromedim 2006 :1st European Conference on Molecular Imaging Technology

Monte Carlo simulation of small rodents imaging applications using the microPET FOCUS

10 May 2006, 11:15

15m

Palais du Pharo, Marseille

oral S1-S2 Small animal imaging

Speaker

Dr Sébastien jan (CEA/DSV/DRM/SHFJ - Orsay France)

Description

Positron Emission Tomography is an essential modality for small animal molecular imaging. Growing requirements in high animal throughput and precision imply the optimization of acquisition parameters and protocols. Monte Carlo simulations are essential tools for assisting these developments, improving image quantification and data analysis. In this work we use the GATE platform [1] based on the Geant4 toolkit package and dedicated to nuclear medicine imaging. This platform is well suited for modelling the microPET FOCUS system dedicated to small animal PET imaging and for implementing realistic phantoms for small animal imaging. In this work, we validate the microPET FOCUS modelling with GATE, for spatial resolution, counting rate performances, image contrast recovery and quantitative analysis. Results of realistic D2-receptor studies (using [C-11]Raclopride) and glucose metabolism studies of the rat brain using realistic Monte Carlo simulations of dynamic studies are presented. These simulations include realistic injected doses to the animal and realistic time framing. We show the relative contribution of positron range and γ accolinearity on the quantitative analysis of rat brain functions in various regions. [1] Jan S et al “GATE: a simulation toolkit for PET and SPECT”, Phys. Med. Biol. 49 (2004) 4543-4561.