Brain PET Quantification in Neuropsychiatric Research

Molecular PET neuroimaging in neuropsychiatry focuses on the quantification of brain PET data to assess group differences, short- and long-term effects of treatments or even to measure neurotransmitter levels in psychiatric conditions. In this chapter we introduce the main tracers used in neuropsychiatry, and starting from the basics of dynamic PET imaging, we present different methodologies to quantify PET imaging, including compartmental, graphical and semiquantitative approaches. We also present different approaches to measure changes in neurotransmitter levels induced by pharmacological or behavioural challenge. Finally, we conclude focusing on the potential use of hybrid PET/MRI in neuropsychiatric research.