Analysis of physiologic process dynamics based on positron tomography

• Grant number: 08/08235-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2009
• End date: February 28, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Sergio Shiguemi Furuie
• Grantee: Sergio Shiguemi Furuie
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Visualization and measurement of biological and chemical phenomena are of fundamental importance for the understanding of their mechanisms and for their effects prediction. In Medicine, the advent of PET (Positron Emission Tomography) allowed quantitative and non-invasive assessment of physiologic processes. The used tracers can indicate the abnormal processing of organs even at the cellular level. There are still several physiological mechanisms that are unknown or unclear, and PET would be an inestimable tool to investigate new hypothesis and biological models. However, several computational tools and techniques should be developed in order to assess and study the dynamics of physiologic processes from PET tridimensional images. The main objective of this project is the research and development of a methodology for the analysis of physiologic process dynamics based on PET. Specifically, we aim the temporal evolution of structures (myocardium) and the quantification of transport and metabolism of tracers. The analysis of viable myocardium is important for the investigation of effectiveness of stem-cell therapy in Cardiology, whereas the dynamic study might provide fundamental information about perfusion and tracer consumption in the tissue. We also intend to improve tomographic reconstruction in PET/CT and develop a set of 3D segmentation approaches. The relevance of this project is related to the investigation of new approaches and tools that play important role in the development of new therapies and medicines. PET can detect and measure possible effects of cellular therapy, such as generation of new cells. One of the participating institutions (InCor) is member of a national research network for stem-cells therapy in Cardiology. We intend to contribute with new methods and models for the quantification of physiologic process. The developed approaches and computational programs would be applicable to micro-PET/CT, PET/CT and conventional PET as well. (AU)