Positron emission tomography (PET)

Using radioactive labeled tracers, PET imaging can visualize distinct molecules and molecular mechanisms in a living organism. Our main interest is focused on early diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders allowing for therapy in an early state of disease. Regarding basic brain research, we are interested in sleep, especially in physiological and pathological regulatory mechanisms of sleep and the effects of caffeine on the central nervous system.

Modeling of pharmacokinetic processes and quantitative analysis of data ascertain an optimal usage of PET in clinical research. Regarding technical research the team of the Molecular Neuroimaging department has longstanding experience in the evaluation of newly developed radiotracers (in cooperation with the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry INM-5). We are a partner in the Helmholtz Drug Research Initiative.