Brain PET/MR versus PET/CT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of Brain PET/MR versus PET-CT.
IRAS ID
178069
Contact name
Alexander Hammers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a method of taking pictures of the brain. PET is often used by doctors. For example, in epilepsy PET is used to find out where seizures come from. In patients with memory problems, it is used to see what the cause of the memory problems may be.
Usually, PET is done with a combined PET/CT (computed tomography) scanner. We have recently installed one of the first scanners in the UK that can acquire MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) pictures of the brain at the same time as PET scanning (a PET/MR scanner). MRI pictures are much better than CT pictures for seeing the brain. In fact, patients often need MRI as well, but usually have it on a different day. With PET/MR, these two scans could be done at the same time. This would be easier for the patient.
The main aim of the study is to decide whether PET/MR is as good as PET/CT for brain PET studies. We will study patients who have just had PET/CT and will therefore not need an additional injection.
We also want to try out new ways of looking at the brain with this new machine.
Electroencephalography (EEG) measures electrical brain waves. In patients with epilepsy, recording EEG and MRI (called EEG-fMRI) at the same time can help find the area where seizures come from. The second aim of this study is to see if recording PET and MR and EEG (PET/MR-EEG) at the same time is possible and helpful.
Finally, we will look at new MRI methods. For example, we will test new ways of acquiring images that can be used to measure blood flow in the brain. We will also try out new signal detectors.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0203
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion