Abstract Details

Title Next-generation Brain-dedicated PET Systems: From Detector Design to Translational Neuroscience

Topic General Neurology

Presentation(s) P5 - Poster Session 5 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 7-001

Objective To summarize current advances, design principles, and translational applications of brain-dedicated positron emission tomography (PET) scanners, emphasizing their engineering innovation and impact on quantitative neuroimaging and precision neurology.

Background

Brain-only PET systems have emerged to address the limitations of whole-body scanners in high-resolution, quantitative neuroimaging. By optimizing detector geometry, scintillator composition, and computational reconstruction specifically for the brain, these systems deliver superior sensitivity, spatial resolution, and kinetic accuracy. Such improvements enable earlier and more reliable molecular assessment of neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, and oncologic disorders.

Design/Methods

A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (to September 2025) using (“brain-only PET” OR “dedicated brain PET” OR “head-only PET”) AND (“silicon photomultiplier” [SiPM] OR “time-of-flight” [TOF] OR “depth of interaction” [DOI] OR “NeuroEXPLORER” OR “NeuroLF”). Studies describing detector architecture, reconstruction algorithms, or quantitative performance metrics were included. Extracted variables comprised field of view, detector configuration, spatial resolution, sensitivity, attenuation and motion correction, and comparative performance versus whole-body PET.

Results Modern brain-dedicated PET scanners achieve spatial resolutions of 1.5–2.5 mm and sensitivities of 15–30 counts per second per kilobecquerel (cps/kBq)—approximately threefold higher than conventional systems. These gains result from compact gantries, small-pitch lutetium–yttrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) or lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO) crystals, DOI encoding, and SiPMs with ≤ 300 ps TOF performance. Integration of point-spread-function (PSF)-TOF iterative reconstruction, Bayesian regularization, and dynamic kinetic modeling further enhances quantitative accuracy. Prototypes such as NeuroEXPLORER and Positrigo NeuroLF demonstrate ultra-high sensitivity and clinical feasibility.

Conclusions Brain-dedicated PET systems represent a paradigm shift in molecular neuroimaging. By uniting advanced detector physics, radiochemistry, and computational modeling, they provide unprecedented molecular detail, enabling quantitative biomarkers for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring across neurologic diseases.

Authors/Disclosures
Salomón D. Páez, Sr. PRESENTER	Salomón D. Páez, Sr. has nothing to disclose.
Andres Ricaurte, MD (Weill Medical College of Cornell University)	Dr. Ricaurte has nothing to disclose.
Kira Grogg, PhD	The institution of Dr. Grogg has received research support from NIH.
Ana Franceschi (Lenox Hill Hospital, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Nor)	Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Life Molecular Imaging. Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Blue Earth Diagnostics. Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Eisai. Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Biogen. Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Roche/Genentech. Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Lilly. Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Cortechs.ai. Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for MIM Software. Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Siemens Healthineers. Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for NIH. Ana Franceschi has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for AJNR. The institution of Ana Franceschi has received research support from Foundation of the ASNR. Ana Franceschi has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.
Georges M. El Fakhri, PhD	Mr. El Fakhri has nothing to disclose.

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