Role of Hybrid Brain Imaging in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Abstract

This is a focused review of imaging literature to scope the utility of hybrid brain imaging in neuropsychiatric disorders. The review focuses on brain imaging modalities that utilize hybrid (fusion) techniques to characterize abnormal brain molecular signals in combination with structural and functional changes that have been observed in neuropsychiatric disorders. An overview of clinical hybrid brain imaging technologies for human use is followed by a selective review of the literature that conceptualizes the use of these technologies in understanding basic mechanisms of major neuropsychiatric disorders and their therapeutics. Neuronal network abnormalities are highlighted throughout this review to scope the utility of hybrid imaging as a potential biomarker for each disorder.

Contribution of PET Imaging to Clinical Management of Gliomas

“…As previously stated, hybrid MRI/PET has great advantages in the differential diagnosis of brain tumors, grading of gliomas, assessment of progression, and the distinction between necrosis and recurrence of tumors [162][163][164][165][166]. Additionally, it is an important tool for the selection of sites for biopsies and in the evaluation of treatment effects [160,[167][168][169][170][171][172][173][174][175][176]. Adding diffusion tensor imaging/fiber tracking, fMRI, PWI, MRS, and activation-PET to multimodal imaging can enhance the assessment of a tumor on the functional networks in the brain [177][178][179][180][181] and show anaerobic changes as well as the effect on efferent and connecting fiber tracts and on task-related activation patterns.…”

Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonanse Imaging Applications in Neurologic Imaging

“…Bunun yanında işlevsel MRG, difüzyon tensör görüntüleme/traktografi, perfüzyon görüntüleme, MR spektroskopi gibi opsiyonel MRG sekansları ile tümörün hücresel özellikleri ve beyinde neden olduğu hemodinamik değişiklikler ayrıntılı olarak değerlendirilebilir (25,26,27,29,43,44,45,46). PET görüntülemenin sağladığı tümör metabolizmasına ilişkin bilgiler ise tümör ayırıcı tanısına, derecelendirmeye ve biyopsi yerinin belirlenmesine, radyasyon nekrozu ile tekrarlayan tümör ayrımına ve tedavi etkinliğinin belirlenmesine katkı yapar (Şekil 3) (26,28,33,45,47,48). Özellikle amino asit ve lipid metabolizmasına yönelik radyofarmasötikler ile yapılan PET/MRG incelemesinin lezyon sınırlarının belirlenmesi bakımından daha üstün bir yöntem olduğu öngörülmektedir (26,49).…”

Rationale, Relevance, and Limits of Stress-Induced Psychopathology in Rodents as Models for Psychiatry Research: An Introductory Overview

“…Neuropsychiatric disorders are common and disabling pathological conditions that diminish the quality of life and reduce psychosocial and executive functioning [ 1 ]. From the clinical point of view, mental disorders represent one of the major challenges of modern medicine, affecting a discrete portion of the western countries’ population, with incidences resembling those of an epidemic more than a syndromic domain [ 2 ]. In the general population, 10% to 20% suffer from these pathologies that include depressive disorders, several forms of clinical anxiety including generalized anxiety, trauma, and stressor-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addiction [ 1 ].…”