The intricate network of the human brain, with its countless synapses and pathways, can easily be likened to a bustling metropolis. Dr. Richard Carson's work has repeatedly emphasized the importance of understanding these connections.
"In terms of the numbers of connections, no city, comes close to the number of connections that our brains connect," said Richard Carson, Ph.D., professor of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging and of Biomedical Engineering, and director of the Yale PET Center.
Every emotion, thought, or newly learned piece of information leaves its mark on this vast cerebral landscape. Dr. Carson's devotion to PET imaging has played a pivotal role in increasing our grasp on these sophisticated pathways. PET imaging allows us to observe the increased blood flow in brain regions with deeper and smaller synaptic activity. Through accurate analysis, PET can measure both metabolism and synaptic activity, illustrating their interconnected changes.
"Just the ability to see inside of a live human being as their brain is functioning has just been fabulous," said Dr. Carson.
As with all science, the tools of the trade have evolved. In the early days of PET imaging on X-ray films, obtaining an image was a time-consuming affair, and the resulting pictures hardly resembled the brain. Fast forward to today, and the scene has transformed dramatically with the introduction of the NeuroExplorer (NX). A collaboration between Yale, UC Davis, and United Imaging Healthcare, and granted supported by a grant fromby the NIH's Brain Initiative, the NX promises unparalleled clarity, much like how the James Webb telescope is expected to surpass the Hubble's capabilities.
Ultra-High Sensitivity: The NeuroExplorer, featuring 46 cps/kBq Sensitivity, based on the NEMA NU 2-2018 standard, goes several steps beyond, enhancing the acceptance angle, further amplified with pioneering time-of-flight capabilities.
Exceptional Resolution: The NeuroExplorer's small detector elements ensure it spots even the tiniest of structures or the most fleeting of neurotransmitter movements. Boasting 1.4 mm Effective Spatial Resolution, the NeuroExplorer allows us to see unprecedented anatomical details.
Motion Correction: A slight shift or movement during imaging can throw off results. The NeuroExplorer, with its real-time tracking, adjusts instantly to patient movement, guaranteeing exceptional precision in its imaging.
Extended Imaging Range: The NeuroExplorer isn't limited in its scope. As Dr. Carson puts it, "The ability to scan down to the shoulder helps us get blood vessel images, and that's critical."
The implications of this advancement are profound. Beyond merely understanding the brain's intricacies, the NX could play a transformative role in studying diseases, such as Alzheimer's. The NX's prowess in imaging small regions like the locus, deep within the brain, offers new potentials in early detection and a deeper understanding of disease onset and progression.
Yet, the applications don't stop here. Dr. Carson highlights, "The goal is what we can do to help patients, to understand disease, to understand all of the impacts." Potentials of collaborating with the pharmaceutical sector stand to gain immensely from the NX. With its enhanced sensitivity and resolution, drug interactions within the brain can be observed with unprecedented detail, potentially paving the way for innovative therapeutic solutions.
It's not just about one institution's achievements. Dr. Carson firmly believes in the collective effort, stating, "We are not going to be the only explorer in the world doing that, which and honestly, it'll be much better by having more people doing more things with it."
For Dr. Carson, science is an ever-evolving journey, one where every discovery opens new doors. "The heart was viewed years ago and now we understand it so well, and that doesn't mean it isn't still complicated, it's something we've learned so much about by applying. The brain has still gotten so far, will we get to that level? Not my lifetime, but it will," said Dr. Carson. "It's why science is fun, you have to figure it out."
The NeuroExplorer is not available in the U.S. for commercial or clinical use.
