PETisotooppeja

PETisotooppeja refers to radioactive isotopes used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. These isotopes are incorporated into molecules that are then introduced into the body, typically through injection. As these molecules travel through the body and accumulate in specific tissues or organs, the radioactive isotope decays, emitting positrons. When a positron encounters an electron, they annihilate, producing two gamma rays that travel in opposite directions. PET scanners detect these gamma rays, and sophisticated computer algorithms reconstruct the information to create detailed 3D images showing the distribution of the radiotracer.

The choice of PET isotope depends on the specific biological process being studied. Common PET isotopes include Fluorine-18 (F-18), Carbon-11 (C-11), Nitrogen-13 (N-13), and Oxygen-15 (O-15). F-18 is widely used due to its relatively long half-life (about 110 minutes), allowing for distribution to imaging centers. C-11, N-13, and O-15 have much shorter half-lives (minutes), requiring them to be produced on-site using a cyclotron immediately before use. These isotopes are often attached to biologically active molecules, such as glucose analogs (like FDG, fluorodeoxyglucose) to image metabolic activity, or to ligands that bind to specific receptors in the brain. PET imaging with these isotopes is invaluable in oncology for detecting and staging cancer, in neurology for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders, and in cardiology for assessing heart function.