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Principles and basic concepts of molecular imaging

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Abstract

Advanced knowledge in molecular biology and new technological developments in imaging modalities and contrast agents calls for molecular imaging (MI) to play a major role in the near future in many human diseases (Weissleder and Mahmood Radiology 219:316–333, 2001). Imaging systems are providing higher signal-to-noise ratio and higher spatial and/or temporal resolution. New specific contrast agents offer the opportunity to drive new challenges for obtaining functional and biological information on tissue characteristics and tissue processes. All this information could be relevant for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment follow-up and to drive local therapies, enhancing local drug/gene delivery. The recent explosion of all these developments is a radical change of perspective in our imaging community because they could have a tremendous impact on our clinical practice and on teaching programs and they call for a more prominent multidisciplinary approach in this field of research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UMR-CNRS 5231 “Imagerie Moléculaire et Fonctionnelle”, Université Victor Segalen-Bordeaux 2, 33076, Bordeaux-Cedex, France

    Nicolas Grenier

  2. Department of Radiology, Division of Molecular and Gender Imaging, Medical University Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Peter Brader

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  1. Nicolas Grenier
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Correspondence to Peter Brader.

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Grenier, N., Brader, P. Principles and basic concepts of molecular imaging. Pediatr Radiol 41, 144–160 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-010-1835-z

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