Premium Essay

Radiotracer Research Paper

Submitted By
Words 444
Pages 2
Radiotracers are radionuclides or biomolecules labeled with radionuclides used to interrogate a physiological or biochemical process. They are dissolved in solution and usually delivered intravenously, either continuously or as a bolus. Once the tracer is in the blood vessel, it follows blood flow through the vasculature, and through perfusion, it enters different tissues. The uptake of a tracer into tissue depends on the extraction and clearance of the tracer for that particular tissue. The tracer is extracted by crossing membranes or by diffusion through small gaps between cell junctions in the capillary wall. Membrane transport can be active (requires energy to transport against a concentration gradient), passive (transports with the concentration gradient), or carrier-mediated (transports with concentration gradient with the assistance of a carrier molecule). The interaction of carrier molecules with the functional group of a tracer is what allows a radiotracer to be targeted. Radiotracers can either be trapped in target tissue until they are broken down and excreted, or they can be freely diffusible between target tissue and vasculature. The rate of clearance, or washout, is dependent on blood flow. Concentration of the tracer in …show more content…
A compartment is defined as a volume where a tracer can be uniformly distributed. These compartments represent physical structures such as a blood vessel and target tissue, or more abstract such as groups of cells which metabolize a tracer in different ways. Rate constants describe the concentration gradient of the tracer between compartments. For simplicity, many compartmental models assume first-order rate constants. The input function describes the evolution of the tracer in the blood after injection, and the tissue response measures the activity of the tracer in the tissue of interest during

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Radiotracer Research Paper

...Historical Use of Radiotracers The principle of radionuclides to track and follow physical, chemical and biological processes has achieved widespread use since their earliest discovery. The father of biological radiochemistry, George de Hevesy, was the first to use a radioactive isotope of lead in bone studies, closely followed by R. H. Stevens injecting radium chloride intravenously to study malignant lymphoma[14]. Artificially generated radioisotopes revolutionised the use of radiotracers in biomedical study[2]. Iodine radiosotopes have been used since the early 1940s to examine the thyroid gland[15]. Biodistribution studies of radiotracers in a subject began with the work of Cassen (rectilinear scanner)[16,17] and of the gamma scintillation...

Words: 957 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Alzheimer

...Research Paper Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Challenges Prepared by Ms. Rawan Al-Juweed Introduction Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a degenerative disorder of the brain that leads to memory loss1. AD affects 5.3 million Americans and is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. There are two main forms of the disease. Familial AD affects people younger than 65, accounting for nearly 500,000 AD cases in the United States alone1. The remainder of AD cases occur in adults aged 65 and older and is classified as sporadic AD. The prevalence of AD varies among many different factors, including age, co-morbidities, genetics, and education level. There is no way to definitively diagnose AD without performing an autopsy. There is no cure for AD, however promising research and development for early detection and treatment is underway. Abstract Alzheimer’s disease was discovered in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer, a German neurologist and psychiatrist2. The disease was initially observed in a 51-year-old woman named Auguste D. Her family brought her to Dr. Alzheimer in 1901 after noticing changes in her personality and behavior. The family reported problems with memory, difficulty speaking, and impaired comprehension. Dr. Alzheimer later described Auguste as having an aggressive form of dementia, manifesting in memory, language and behavioral deficits3. Dr. Alzheimer noted many abnormal symptoms, including difficulty...

Words: 4642 - Pages: 19

Premium Essay

The Importance of Biology in the Study of Psychology

...Psychology Ashley B. McVey Cecil College Abstract Whether it is the study of biopsychology and other fields of psychology or neuroscience, all psychologists and scientists are trying to understand the functions of the brain. The body and mind connection and how it reacts to certain behaviors or illnesses. Most all psychological functioning can be reduced to underlying brain processes. This should serve as reason alone as to why biology plays an important part in the study of psychology. Psychological factors play a role in whether a person develops a mental illness and in how well they recover from a mental illness, yet biological and genetic risk factors, or predispositions, are fundamentals to understanding mental illnesses. In this paper, we will look at Parkinson’s disease as an example of how biology has brought us to a deeper understanding of the psychology of mental illness. Psychology is an academic and applied discipline that involves the scientific study of mental functions and behaviors. Psychologists attempt to understand the role of mental functions in individual and social behavior, while also exploring the psychological and neurobiological processes that underlie certain functions and behaviors. For this reason, biology plays a very important role in the study of psychology. Psychology determines what people perceive to feel and behave, but underlying it all, ultimately determining the way we act, feel and behave, is biology. A biological perspective...

Words: 1007 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Damsel

...during a different academic year should consult their faculty to ensure they are following the correct program map. i Message from President Tim McTiernan I am delighted to welcome you to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), one of Canada’s most modern and dynamic university communities. We are a university that lives by three words: challenge, innovate and connect. You have chosen a university known for how it helps students meet the challenges of the future. We have created a leading-edge, technology-enriched learning environment. We have invested in state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities. We have developed industry-ready programs that align with the university’s visionary research portfolio. UOIT is known for its innovative approaches to learning. In many cases, our undergraduate and graduate students are working alongside their professors on research projects and gaining valuable hands-on learning, which we believe is integral in preparing you to lead and succeed. I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to become the best you can be. We also invite our students to connect to the campus and the neighbouring communities. UOIT students enjoy a stimulating campus life experience that includes a wide variety of clubs, cultural and community events. We are proud of our outstanding recreational...

Words: 195394 - Pages: 782