I-123 amphetamine: Possible applications and results of rCBF-quantification

The diagnosis of cerebral functional abnormalities has received new impulses due to the introduction of radiolabeled amines such as N-isopropyl-p-I-123 iodoamphetamine (IMP). Tomographic slices obtained with modern rotating gamma cameras provide satisfactory resolution of cerebral structures. However, since the IMP-distribution varies even in normal images, a quantification of the results is desirable. Easily accessible quantities for this purpose are the absolute IMP-uptake of the brain, and the relative uptake (right-to-left hemisphere). We used regions of interest comprising the supply areas of the cerebral arteries for right-left comparisons. The results demonstrate that such quantification is important, because qualitative analysis of the images alone often leads to false positive or false negative results. The primary application of IMP-studies is the diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease. (orig.)