Continuous Blood-Sampling in small animal [18F]FDG-PET/CT measurements

Small animal positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is an important preclinical tool to analyze disease mechanisms. Alterations in glucose utilization are associated with neurodegeneration and can be measured in [18F]FDG-PET/CT studies. Current analyzing strategies for small animal [18F]FDG-PET/CT Data do not facilitate full quantification as kinetic information of the blood radioactivity is usually missing. A continuous measurement of the blood tracer concentration might enable quantification but is technically challenging.