On May 1, 2006 all the Chemistry Department imaging programs transferred to the BNL Medical Department, however all programmatic material herein remains unchanged

Radiotracer Chemistry and Neuroimaging

   Understanding brain function at the molecular and systems level is an enormous challenge. At the heart of the complexity is that the brain functions as a set of interacting and constantly adapting molecular systems governed by gene expression, protein and neurotransmitter synthesis, synaptic activity and signal transduction, to name a few. Our overarching vision in our Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Program is (1) to develop new scientific tools (radiotracers and multi-dimensional imaging technologies) to rapidly advance our knowledge of how brain function and behavior are shaped by gender, genetics, age, environment, drugs and disease and (2) to apply these tools to medical problems which have a major impact on society including addictive disorders, aging and neurodegenerative disease. Research is multidisciplinary and synergistic with a strong synergy between clinical and preclinical research. Research is carried out in the following specific areas: medical radioisotope production, radiotracer synthesis and mechanistic studies (including kinetic analysis, microdialysis and microPET); PET imaging physics and quantification and; the design and fabrication of specialized imaging instruments. Major milestones include the development of ¹⁸FDG, the first images of the addicted human brain (see figure), and the development of a new addiction treatment. Training, education, research collaborations and community outreach programs are vital components of the Program.

Simplified diagram of the dopamine synapse showing radiotracers and PET images for the following synaptic elements and effects of different abused substances on the human brain. Upper left: comparison of brain MAO B in the non-smoker and the smoker; upper right: comparison of dopamine transporter availability in a control subject and a methamphetamine abuser; lower right: comparison of dopamine D2 receptor availability in a normal-weight individual and an obese individual; lower left: comparison of glucose metabolism in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in a control subject and a cocaine abuser. A PET image of nicotinic receptors (co-registered with a MRI image) is also shown (middle right).

The Radiotracer and Neuroimaging Program is supported by the Medical Sciences Division of the Office of Biological and Environmental Research of the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy.

learn more about the Radiotracer and Neuroimaging Program

Last Modified: June 28, 2012

One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE's Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by the Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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