18F]FDG mouse brain PET imaging: absolute quantification of regional cerebral glucose utilization as compared with 2-[ 14C]DG autoradiography

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of absolute quantification of regional cerebral glucose utilization (rCMR glc) in mice with 18FDG PET. To evaluate its use as a gold standard, rCMR glc was also measured simultaneously with the autoradiographic 2-[ 14C]DG method. Serial arterial samples were drawn over 45 min to determine plasma tracer time activities and glucose concentrations. Animals were euthanized at 45 min followed first by brain PET imaging for 15 min and then by brain 2-[ 14C]DG autoradiography. Average 18FDG rCMR glc values in the cerebral cortex were generally lower (by 8.3%), but strongly correlated with those of 2-[ 14C]DG ( r 2=0.95). The present PET imaging technique allows accurate absolute quantification of rCMR glc in mice within the limits of the resolution possible with PET.