On the Construction of Functional Maps in Positron Emission Tomography

Abstract

A linear algorithm for the rapid calculation of local rate constants is proposed. The method is applicable to the three-compartment models currently used in the analysis of positron camera measurements with [¹¹C]methionine, [¹¹C]deoxyglucose, and [¹¹C]glucose. The same technique can also be used for the regional measurement of local blood flow with the aid of a freely diffusible tracer. The algorithm was applied to measurements on humans with [¹¹C]glucose. As a comparison, the same data were also analyzed with a standard nonlinear technqiue. Good agreement between the two methods was obtained.